Second British rugby player dies after falling ill during Sri Lanka tour.
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.
Mr Howard died that same day, while Mr 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.
In a statement released on Monday following the announcement of Mr Howard’s death, Durham City RFC president Richard Wilkinson said: “Both players and Clems Pirates hold a special place in our rugby family, and our continued support is unconditional.
“We will also continue to support the Clems Sri Lankan tour party by being in regular contact with senior club officials out in Sri Lanka.”
A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said it was assisting families of two British men.
