Kelly Meafua, Samoan third line from Montauban, killed himself on the night of Friday to Saturday. He jumped into the Tarn after celebrating his club’s victory.
Kelly Meafua, Samoan third line from Montauban, killed himself on the night of Friday to Saturday after jumping into the Tarn from a bridge, the Pro D2 club announced in a statement on Saturday.
“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,” he wrote. “Kelly was a player very appreciated by all, his joie de vivre was infectious and radiant. Today we have lost a player, a friend, a brother”.
The 32-year-old participated in his team’s victory against Narbonne (48-40) on Friday evening for his last home game of the season. He was leaving a nightclub in downtown Montauban before being seen jumping from the Pont-Vieux, 22 meters high, AFP learned from a source close to the club, confirming information from the local daily La Dépêche du Midi.
His body was found early in the morning. The prosecutor of Montauban, Bruno Sauvage, favors the track of a “dramatic accident”. One of Meafua’s teammates, French prop Christopher Vaotoa, jumped into the water in an attempt to rescue him. Quickly rescued by firefighters, the latter was transported to the hospital in a state of hypothermia.
“He left this morning (Saturday) in good health,” said the Montalban club, adding that “all training (were) suspended until further notice”.
Eighth in Pro D2, Montauban must go to Nevers on Thursday for his last match of the season.
A former Samoan rugby sevens international, Meafua played for French clubs Narbonne and Béziers before joining Montauban in 2020. He had played 24 league games this season, scoring eight tries.