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Second British rugby player dies on tour in Sri Lanka

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A second British amateur rugby player has died on tour in Sri Lanka after struggling to breathe following a trip to a nightclub. 

Tom Baty, 26, and Thomas Howard, 25, were admitted to hospital in the city of Colombo on Sunday while on tour with Durham-based Clems Pirates RFC. Howard died that same day, while Baty’s death was announced by the club on Tuesday afternoon.

Durham City Rugby Football Club, which oversees the team, said in a statement: "It is with great sadness that the Club can now confirm that Tom Baty has died following his admission to hospital on Sunday.

"We would like to extend our sincere condolences to the Baty family."

The two players, who were both from Durham, complained of breathing difficulties to hotel staff at around 10am on Sunday.

Sri Lankan police said some British players had visited the city’s Cleopatra nightclub after a match, before returning to their hotel in the early hours.

Durham City RFC previously said that in both cases the breathing problems were non-rugby related.

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