A Welsh rugby player died three weeks after being punched in the head by a security guard in a bar in Turkey, an inquest has heard. Scot James, 34, was on holiday when he was allegedly assaulted in the early hours of July 5.
He sustained traumatic head and brain injuries from the incident, which occurred while he was reportedly involved in a verbal exchange. The single punch caused him to fall and hit his head. Following the assault, James received treatment in a Turkish hospital before being repatriated to the UK.
He died on July 26 at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital. A post-mortem examination conducted on August 3 by Dr. Stephen Leadbeatter at the University Hospital of Wales gave a provisional cause of death as blunt head injury, including a left temporal parietal fracture and right inferior cerebral contusion, pending further histology.
Police in Turkey are investigating the death, with assistance from the Foreign Office. Area coroner Rachel Knight ordered a full inquest, citing reason to suspect Mr. James's death may have been unnatural. A mention hearing is scheduled in four months to provide an update, and the inquest proceedings may be paused pending the outcome of any criminal investigation.
James, who played for Maesteg Celtic RFC, was remembered by his family as a "loving father, son, grandson and partner" whose passing has left a significant void. The club described him as an "outstanding player and a great character and friend."