British armed forces rugby player found dead during competition in France fell from a rocky height along the coast, prosecutor says
- Body of Royal Navy man, 29, found on coastline of Dinard, Brittany
A member of the British armed forces who died in France after travelling to the country for an international rugby tournament fell from a height in an apparent accident, according to French prosecutors.
The player was reported missing on Tuesday in the town of Dinard, a popular seaside resort in Brittany in northern France.
At around the same time that his disappearance was reported to police, his body was discovered on a rocky stretch of coastline.
His name has not been released – but the UK Armed Forces Rugby team (UKAF) has confirmed that he was a serving member of the Royal Navy.
An autopsy was conducted on Wednesday and French authorities believe that the man had been drinking before tragedy struck.
Police were called to the coastline in Dinard, Brittany, France on Tuesday after the body of a British man was found nearby
The UK Armed Forces Rugby team said it was helping French authorities with their investigation into the man’s death
French news outlet Ouest France reports that the man was 29 years old.
While prosecutors have not drawn a conclusive picture of what happened in the hours before his death, prosecutors say that he suffered several fractures that suggested he fell from height.
Local prosecutor Fabrice Tremel said: ‘Questioning of several witnesses and video surveillance images show the victim was behaving, on the night of August 28, in a way that suggested he was quite drunk.’
He added that the injuries sustained by the player were ‘in line with a fall of several metres.’
Mr Tremel concluded: ‘At the current stage of investigation the most likely scenario is an accidental fall.’
In a statement released on Wednesday, UKAF confirmed that it was cooperating with French investigators.
‘We can confirm the death of a member of the Naval Service representing the UKAF Squad in Brittany, France,’ the statement said.
‘Our thoughts and sympathy are with their family and friends and their next of kin have been informed.
‘As we assist with the French authorities in their investigations we are unable to comment further.’
Two team coaches confirmed the identity of the player, whose team is based in Dinard during the competition.
The World Defence Rugby competition – also known as the World Military Rugby Championship – brings together military teams from 12 allied nations.
The championship is being played in 26 Brittany venues until September 10, and features 500 players and staff.
In their most recent match, Britain beat Spain in the final group-stage encounter and go on to play Fiji in the semi-final on Sunday.
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