This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/bradford/7978259.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Funeral for rugby collapse player | Funeral for rugby collapse player |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Rugby League players have formed a guard of honour at the funeral of team mate Leon Walker, who died after collapsing during a game. | Rugby League players have formed a guard of honour at the funeral of team mate Leon Walker, who died after collapsing during a game. |
About 500 people gathered for the service at St Anthony's Church in Beeston, Leeds. | About 500 people gathered for the service at St Anthony's Church in Beeston, Leeds. |
Mr Walker, 20, died in hospital after the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats reserve game against Celtic Crusaders at Maesteg, south Wales, on 22 March. | Mr Walker, 20, died in hospital after the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats reserve game against Celtic Crusaders at Maesteg, south Wales, on 22 March. |
His coffin was carried into the church by fellow reserve team players. | His coffin was carried into the church by fellow reserve team players. |
Friends and family made emotional tributes to Mr Walker during the hour-long service. | Friends and family made emotional tributes to Mr Walker during the hour-long service. |
'Last tackle' | 'Last tackle' |
Luke Blake, his cousin and team mate, said their childhood dream came true when they both signed for the Wildcats. | Luke Blake, his cousin and team mate, said their childhood dream came true when they both signed for the Wildcats. |
He said: "All we ever wanted from a young age was to play professional rugby. | He said: "All we ever wanted from a young age was to play professional rugby. |
"It didn't matter who we played for as long as we were in the same team together." | "It didn't matter who we played for as long as we were in the same team together." |
Advertisement | |
Funeral for rugby collapse player | |
Mr Blake said the match against Celtic Crusaders on 22 March was Mr Walker's first game back after injury. | Mr Blake said the match against Celtic Crusaders on 22 March was Mr Walker's first game back after injury. |
"It was also the first proper game we had played together at Wakefield and unfortunately it was to be the last. | "It was also the first proper game we had played together at Wakefield and unfortunately it was to be the last. |
"I'm glad that it was me that got to make the last tackle with him." | "I'm glad that it was me that got to make the last tackle with him." |
The coffin was carried into the church by six reserve team players, while members of the first team formed a guard of honour as the cortege passed. | The coffin was carried into the church by six reserve team players, while members of the first team formed a guard of honour as the cortege passed. |
About 350 mourners packed into the red-brick church, with a further 150 listening to the funeral through loud-speakers in the car park. | About 350 mourners packed into the red-brick church, with a further 150 listening to the funeral through loud-speakers in the car park. |
Post-mortem tests failed to establish the cause of Mr Walker's death, but did rule out any injury caused by playing rugby. | Post-mortem tests failed to establish the cause of Mr Walker's death, but did rule out any injury caused by playing rugby. |
An inquest has been opened and adjourned. | An inquest has been opened and adjourned. |
Meanwhile, the Rugby Football League (RFL) has launched a full inquiry into the tragedy which it said was normal procedure following such a serious incident. | Meanwhile, the Rugby Football League (RFL) has launched a full inquiry into the tragedy which it said was normal procedure following such a serious incident. |