Rugby player, 15, found dead in bed one day after grazing his leg
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An inquest has been launched after the death of a teenager known for his love of rugby. Samual Staple, who has been described as “incredibly special” was found dead on Tuesday, September 24, after he was understood to have been feeling unwell earlier that day.
Coroner Jayne Wilkes for the Greater Lincolnshire area opened the inquest into Samuel's death shortly before 10am on Monday, December 30, at the The Myle Cross Centre in Lincoln. The short hearing heard that Samuel was 15 years old when he died and that he was found dead at his home in Tupholme, where he lived with his grandparents. The day before his death, Samuel had grazed his right shin during a rugby match and he’d been treated by a first aider.
Coroner Wilkes said: "The next day Samuel felt unwell, he had been sick and he was kept off school. He was checked throughout the day and it was assumed he was sleeping." His grandmother, Rebecca, later decided that Samuel should be woken up and it was found that "he was not breathing and he had been sick". Paramedics from East Midlands Ambulance Service were called to the property and Samuel was pronounced dead at the scene.
A post-mortem examination has been carried out, with the toxicology findings suggesting that Samuel had high levels of medication in his bloodstream when he died. The inquest has been adjourned until March 26, 2025. Following the news of his death, a number of rugby clubs have paid tribute to Samuel, including the Lincoln Rugby Club. In a Facebook post, the club wrote: "It is with a heavy heart and great sadness we have to let you know of the passing of a young member of our rugby family, Sam Staple.
