David Tait, Former Premiership Rugby Player, Dies In Fall

Former Rugby Player Tait Dies In Fall

A former Premiership rugby union player has died after falling from an apartment block.

David Tait, 25, who had played for Sale Sharks and had also represented Scotland, died after the fall in Hong Kong.

In a brief statement, his family said they were "devastated".

Tait's rugby career was cut short by injuries, and he became a corporate finance manager for multinational firm KPMG.

A back-row forward, he spent five years with Sale in Greater Manchester, who signed him as a teenager.

He was part of England's training squad for the 2008-09 International Rugby Board world sevens series, but did not play. He later played for Scotland at the 2009 Dubai Sevens.

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Tait was 25

Rugby Players' Association chief executive Damian Hopley said: "The rugby community will be shattered by the passing of such a gifted and popular young man who was respected by everyone he played alongside.

"He wasn't simply a talented rugby player, he was also extremely bright and successful in his life outside of rugby.

"We will do everything we can to help support David's family and the players who played alongside him. His family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers."

Premiership Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty said: "At this desperately sad time words can hardly do justice to the way everyone involved with Aviva Premiership Rugby will feel about David's passing.

"Everyone at Premiership Rugby would like to offer their condolences and support to David's family and friends at this very difficult time."