Rugby Player Dies in Turkey After Punch From Security Guard, Inquest Hears
A Welsh rugby player died after sustaining head injuries from a punch by a security guard during a holiday in Turkey. An inquest opening heard the incident began as a verbal exchange before the player was struck, causing him to fall and hit his head.
Key takeaways
- Welsh rugby player Scot James died on July 26 following an alleged assault on holiday in Turkey.
- The incident involved a security guard punching James, causing him to fall and hit his head.
- James sustained head and brain injuries and later died in a UK hospital.
- Turkish authorities are investigating the incident, and a UK inquest has been opened.
What Happened
A 34-year-old Welsh rugby player, Scot James, died in the Royal Glamorgan Hospital on July 26 after sustaining head and brain injuries during a holiday in Turkey. An inquest opening on August 11 heard that the incident occurred in the early hours of July 5 at a bar in Turkey. Following a verbal exchange, James was allegedly punched once by a security guard, causing him to fall and hit his head.
James, who played for Maesteg Celtic RFC, was treated in a hospital in Turkey before being repatriated to the UK. Despite receiving care at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, he passed away on July 26. A provisional cause of death was determined to be blunt head injury.
Background
James, from Maesteg, was described by his family as a "loving father, son, grandson and partner" and by his former club as an "outstanding player and a great character." The inquest was opened at Pontypridd Coroner's Court, with area coroner Rachel Knight determining a full inquest was necessary due to the suspicion that the death may have been unnatural.
Key Facts
- Scot James, a 34-year-old rugby player from Maesteg, died on July 26.
- The death followed an alleged assault on July 5 while James was on holiday in Turkey.
- An incident at a bar involved a verbal exchange that escalated to a security guard punching James.
- James fell and hit his head, sustaining traumatic head and brain injuries.
- He was treated in Turkey before being repatriated to the UK and dying at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital.
- A provisional cause of death was given as blunt head injury.
- Turkish police are understood to be investigating the death, with assistance from the Foreign Office.
- The inquest has been adjourned pending the outcome of Turkish investigations.
What Happens Next
Police in Turkey are understood to be investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. The inquest proceedings have been adjourned, with a mention hearing scheduled in four months to receive an update from Turkish authorities. It is possible that the inquest may be paused pending the outcome of any criminal investigation in Turkey.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
