- Joseph suffered a heart attack which is thought to have been triggered by the viral infection
- The teenager was in good spirits, hoping to be released from the hospital that evening
A 15-year-old rugby captain has tragically died a day after visiting his GP suffering from shortness of breath.
Joseph Gardiner, from Pyle, South Wales, was rushed to hospital with a viral infection and died on Monday.
Speaking on behalf of Joseph’s parents John and Helen, and the rest of his family, friend Adam Brooke said it was thought an undiagnosed heart defect contributed to Joseph’s death.
‘It completely came out of the blue – there was no prior warning or anything.’
Mr Brooke said that his son had been speaking to Joseph not long before he died and the teenager was in good spirits, hoping to be released from the hospital that evening.
But a short time later Joseph suffered a heart attack which is thought to have been triggered by the viral infection.
‘What [Joseph’s family] have found out now is that he has had a heart defect since birth but nobody ever knew about it because he was never ill,’ Mr Brooke said.
‘Apparently this virus attacks the heart. If he didn’t have the heart problem it would have just been a cough or a cold that would usually be fine but because of this heart condition [it was more serious].’
Mr Brooke is a member of Pyle RFC and his son played rugby with Joseph, who was recently named player of the year and was the captain of the under-16s team.
Mr Brooke said Joseph’s sudden death has left his family ‘distraught’, reports Wales Online.
The teenager leaves behind his parents and seven siblings.
‘It has just hit everyone for six. He was 15, fit and well, he was a talented rugby player. He was being chosen for the Welsh boys this year – an absolutely amazing rugby player, really talented. Nobody can believe it,’ said Mr Brooke.
Due to the sudden nature of Joseph’s death Mr Brooke has started a fundraiser to help the teenager’s family with funeral costs.
In just 48 hours the fundraiser has already raised more than £8,300. Hundreds of people have also left messages of condolences.
Mr Brooke said: ‘The family is going to be struggling so as a community the only thing we could do was help towards the funeral but never in my wildest dreams did I think it would go like that. Everyone has come together.’
In a message on their Facebook page, Pyle RFC Mini & Junior Rugby also paid tribute to Joseph.
It read: ‘It is with our deepest sorrow and huge shock that we as a club announce the tragic loss of our under-16s captain Joseph Gardiner.
‘We have lost a gifted, hardworking young man whose contagious charm and eagerness to volunteer his time to others was a remarkable quality.
‘The rugby community will sincerely miss Joe. Sending our heartfelt condolences to Helen, John, and the family.’
