Kelly Meafua Real Cause of Death: Rugby Player Unexpectedly Died at 32

Kelly Meafua, a Samoan player for French rugby club US Montauban, has died at the age of 32 following a tragic accident.

The US Montauban's official website released a statement, which was translated from French by PEOPLE, confirming Meafua's untimely passing. The athlete reportedly fell from a bridge in Southern France on Saturday.

According to reports, he fell in the river Tarn in the Occitania region, and he suffered from different issues before ultimately dying.

"The entire club is shocked and everyone is thinking of his wife, his children, his teammates and more generally everyone who loves the club. Kelly was a player who was well liked by everybody. His joy for life was infectious and radiant. Today we have lost a player, a friend and a brother," the club said.

US Montauban added that a teammate attempted to save and rescue Meafua but failed. As a result, the player, who was later identified as Christopher Vaotoa, was hospitalized for hypothermia before he was discharged.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the club told CNN on Monday that an investigation into the accident is currently underway. However, it has since been clarified that officials treat it as a tragic accident.

An autopsy will, however, attempt to detect any traces of alcohol and cocaine in his blood. L'Equipe said that, this way, people would discover why US Montauban said it had no idea why the player jumped off the bridge.

Did Kelly Meafua Jump Off the Bridge?

Initial reports did not disclose what happened prior to the accident, but CBS News detailed that the player jumped off the bridge himself after the party to celebrate the team's victory over Narbonne.

His final death certificate has not yet been publicized, but fans have since shared their shock after losing the player.

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One said, "Tributes have been paid to Montauban's Kelly Meafua, who died on Friday night after jumping from a bridge into the river Tarn during an evening of festivities celebrating the end of the season. Our thoughts are with all those who knew and loved Kelly."

Meafua was born in Samoa but moved to Auckland as a teen. He then flew to Australia where he played for four seasons with Shite Defend. He also spent his time with the now-defunct Better Sydney Rams.

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