British rugby player, 16, is found dead in a French lake during team trip 

British rugby player, 16, is found dead in a French lake during team trip

• Harry Sykes had been travelling with the Halifax Rugby League Academy 
• The body of the 16-year-old British rugby player was recovered from a lake today
• The boy was on a rugby trip with his team near the city of  Carcassonne in France
• French police have opened an investigation

The body of a British rugby player has been recovered from a lake in southern France, has been named as Harry Sykes, 16.

Mr Sykes, who was travelling with the Halifax Rugby League Academy, disappeared from the party on Wednesday evening near Cavayere Lake, near the town of Carcassonne. 

‘An alert was put out to emergency services and there was an extensive search of the water involving divers,’ said a local council official.

‘It was just before 11pm on Wednesday that night divers found the body of the missing person after two hours in the water.’

The body of a British rugby player has been recovered from a lake in southern France , has been named as Harry Sykes, 16 

Following a two-hour search the boy’s body was found near the shore of Cavayere lake, near the city of Carcassonne at 8.30pm on Wednesday evening 

Hours before the incident the team were pictured posing beside the lake in a series of team shots, including boating on the lake and playing a game of football. 

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The source said Mr Sykes had arrived in France on Monday, and had taken part in a game on Tuesday against Lezignan-Corbieres.

A death certificate was issued soon after Wednesday’s tragedy, with French officials saying a ‘medical-legal examination’ would establish the cause. 

The youngster had been training at the Halifax Elite Rugby Academy, which had sent two teams to southern France for matches 

‘It will also try and establish the exact circumstances in which the person died,’ the same source added. ‘An autopsy was held on Thursday, and results will be made available in due course.’

Examining magistrates and judicial police are involved in the enquiry, the source said.

Two Halifax teams – cadets and Under 23s – were scheduled to play matches on Thursday, but these games have now been cancelled.

Halifax Rugby League Football Club posted a message on Facebook reading: ‘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.’ 

Rugby Football League 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 has been in contact and is providing support.’

The team were playing in Carcassonne near the Spanish boarder (pictured)

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