An inquest has been launched into the death of 15 year old rugby player Samuel Staple, who passed away on September 24 after feeling unwell the previous day – Samuel was found not breathing at home after staying off school sick
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.
“Sam sadly passed away on Tuesday 24th September and will be greatly missed by all. Sam was a funny, cheeky, larger than life character and was an incredibly special young man.” They shared that Sam was “enthusiastic” about rugby and “a keen supporter of Stockport County FC and Wasps RFC”.
The club also explained that he also liked to play against the Market Rasen and Louth RUFC where many of his schoolmates also played. On Sunday, September 29, a number of players across the Market Rasen RUFC, Lincoln RUFC U13 & 15, Retford Mini RUFC and Hykeham RUFC U10s all gathered for a match and held a minute’s silence to remember Sam, followed by a minute’s applause to celebrate Sam’s life.
The Market Rasen and Louth club shared a post on Facebook following the event, which added: “This morning showed again that while we may all support different clubs, we are all part of one Rugby Family. Market Rasen wishes to share its condolences and love to Sam’s family and friends, you will always be remembered at Market Rasen RUFC.”
Following Sam’s passing the Lincoln RFC and his family have established The Sam Staple Memorial Fund to create a lasting legacy in his honour. The funds will be used to help a Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire or Derbyshire player develop their rugby career with funding to support the transition from grassroots to the higher-level game or to support a team in one of those areas with fundraising.
More than £5,500 has been raised for the fund so far. For those wishing to donate the JustGiving link can be found here.