South African rugby star Hyron Andrews died of a torn aorta in his team hotel, autopsy finds

Hyron Andrews, a father of two, was found unconscious in a shower at the Lions' La Rochelle hotel and died of a natural aortic tear, a French autopsy has found.

French authorities determined that a natural aortic tear caused a major accumulation of blood around his heart. Andrews, a father of two, was discovered unconscious in a shower cubicle at the Lions' hotel in La Rochelle on Friday, the day before the team was scheduled to play La Rochelle in the Champions Cup. His body remains in French custody while arrangements for repatriation to South Africa are under way.

The Lions said the dissection 'most likely occurred on an aortic aneurysm'.

The match still went ahead, with La Rochelle winning 31-14 after emotional tributes.

Lions chief executive Rudolf Straeuli said the club was 'heartbroken by the passing of Hyron'.

The TelegraphHyron Andrews died of aortic aneurysm, autopsy finds LBCSouth African rugby player Hyron Andrews' cause of death revealed after star died in team hotel day before match The New York TimesHyron Andrews: South African rugby player’s death due to ‘aortic dissection’ – autopsy - The New York Times ESPNAutopsy attributed Hyron Andrews' death to torn artery - Lions - ESPN

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