The world of rugby is in mourning. Kelly Meafua, Samoan third line from Montauban, died at the age of 31. The player killed himself on the night of Friday May 6 to Saturday May 7, after jumping into the Tarn from a bridge, as announced by the Pro D2 club, via a press release. “The entire USM Sapiac club is shocked by this tragedy and has a thought for his wife, his children, his teammates and more generally all club lovers.“, said the club. And to continue: “Kelly was a player very appreciated by all, his joie de vivre was infectious and radiant. Today we lost a player, a friend, a brother.“
The tragedy occurred after he left a nightclub in downtown Montauban. Kelly Meafua was seen jumping from the Pont-Vieux, 22 meters high, as AFP clarified, from a source close to the club. The 31-year-old player and father of three children took part in his team’s victory against Narbonne (48-40) on Friday evening May 6, for his last home game of the season. His body was finally found lifeless in the early morning, on the banks of the Tarn, after a passerby testified to having seen a man jump from the bridge around 6:30 a.m., indicates The Midi Dispatch.
I lost one of my guys
According to the latest information, Bruno Sauvage, prosecutor of Montauban, favors the track of a “dramatic accident“. One of his teammates, Christophe Vaotoa, tried to help him, jumping into the water. He was quickly rescued by firefighters and taken to hospital with hypothermia. “He left this morning in good health“, informed the Montalban club from Saturday May 6, 2022. It is specified that “all training (was) suspended until further notice“.