British teenage rugby player found dead in French lake
Police divers recover West Yorkshire 16-year-old's body after he went missing during trip with teammates
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Your support makes all the difference.A teenage British rugby player has drowned during a youth academy tour in southern France.
The body of Harry Sykes, 16, was recovered from a lake near the city of Carcassonne, which he had been visiting with teammates from Halifax Elite Rugby Academy.
He was found dead in Lac de la Cavayere after being reported missing on Wednesday evening.
Police divers recovered his body following a two-hour search, local media reported.
In a statement, the West Yorkshire academy said: “We are devastated beyond words to confirm that one of our players, Harry Sykes, passed away yesterday.
“We ask that you respect the privacy of Harry’s family, friends and teammates at this most difficult time.
“A full tribute will be released in due course but at the moment we are all coming to terms with the loss of a truly kind, honest and committed young man.”
A spokesman for the UK Foreign Office said: “We are supporting the family of a British national following his death in Carcassonne, France, and we are in touch with the local authorities.”
Harry was taking part in a tour organised by the academy, the Rugby Football League (RFL) confirmed.
The squad flew to France on Monday and played a match against a local youth team the next day. Their remaining games were cancelled after Harry's death.
In a statement on its Facebook page, Halifax Rugby League Football Club (RLFC) said: “Halifax RLFC would like to express our condolences to the family and teammates of local young player Harry Sykes who has tragically passed away in France whilst on tour with his team from the Halifax Elite Rugby Academy.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and teammates at this time.”
Pictures posted on the academy’s Facebook page less than three hours before Harry went missing showed the team at the lakeside, with pedalos and a water slide visible in the background.
He was reported missing at 8.30pm on Wednesday and found dead at 10.45pm.
Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances and cause of his death. A post-mortem examination took place on Thursday.
The RFL’s chief executive, Ralph Rimmer, said: “We are extremely saddened by the tragic news that Halifax Elite Rugby Academy’s Harry Sykes has passed away.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Harry’s family, friends and teammates at this sad time."
The RFL Benevolent Fund said in a statement it was “deeply saddened to announce the tragic passing of 16-year-old Harry Sykes”.
It added: “His family thank everyone for their kind thoughts but wish to be left alone at this most difficult of times. A further statement will be issued when appropriate.”
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