 Christian Ford was revived twice before he arrived in hospital |
Friends and clubmates have spoken of their shock at the death of a rugby player, who collapsed at the side of the pitch at Stradey Park, Llanelli. Christian Ford, 30, from Pembrey, was playing for Burry Port against Pontarddulais in the Tovali Plate Final on Tuesday evening.
He had left the pitch with a foot injury when he collapsed. He was later declared dead in hospital.
Friend Rob Perry said that Mr Ford was due to get married in two weeks.
The Welsh Rugby Union has said it will carry out an investigation into Mr Ford's death.
Efforts were made to treat him at the pitch side before he was taken by ambulance to Prince Phillip Hospital in Llanelli.
The game was abandoned after just 20 minutes of play.
Team manager Mr Perry said he was stunned by the death.
He said: "I spoke to him just before the match and he was very excited because we've won the league this year and he was looking forward to the double.
"He seemed fine and seemed his normal larger-than-life self.
Mr Perry said Mr Ford, who has three children and was planning to marry his partner in two weeks' time, walked off the pitch after about 20 minutes of play.
He added: "He's had many knee injuries in the past and I automatically thought it would have been his knee.
"I spoke to the physios, they signalled to me that he wasn't about to go back on and I replaced Christian then. It was five minutes after that when we saw him on the floor."
Burry Port chairman Roger Dunlevy told BBC Wales everybody at the club, the village of Pembrey had been "rocked" by what had happened.
"Nothing like this has happened before. The whole village feels for the family at this time," he said.
'Terrible situation'
Team mates said Mr Ford had spoken of pins and needles in his arm and a tightness in his chest although he was regarded as extremely physically-fit.
WRU Chief Executive Steve Lewis said an investigation would be held.
He said: "The heartfelt sympathy of the WRU and the whole Welsh rugby-playing nation is with Christian Ford's family and friends and with Burry Port Rugby Club at this time.
"It must have been a terrible situation to observe unfolding in front of them.
"We will be carrying out an investigation, we will wait for the facts to unfold�and if there was any way of preventing it.
"But without the facts it's all speculation at the moment."
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Nothing like this has happened before - the whole village feels for the family
