A talented teenage rugby player died of a brain injury after being struck in the head during a tackle, an inquest was told.
Evan Hawksworth, 14, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, was 20 minutes into the second-half of an under-14s rugby league match when he tackled a player in possession of the ball from the opposing side.
Second-row player Evan was struck in the left temple by the opposing player’s ‘thigh or knee’ and was left ‘laid out on the field’ on July 9 last year.
Evan Hawksworth, 14(undated photo), from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, was 20 minutes into the second-half of an under-14s rugby league match when he tackled a player in possession of the ball from the opposing side
Evan collapsed and was taken into emergency surgery. Four days later, doctors said there was nothing they could do.
He was moved to palliative care as the damage to his brain was too severe and died on July 11 – two days later.
Coroner Jonathan Leach read a statement out to Wakefield Coroners’ Court from Evan’s father Gary Hawksworth.
It read: ‘Evan’s death was a tragic accident in my opinion. It was a tragic set of circumstances – I do not blame the other player. Evan died doing the sport he loved.
‘He was an inspiration to everyone he met – he was our hero.’
In his statement the grief-stricken father told how on the day of the accident, the teenager tried to continue playing.
Evan was playing for Stanley Rangers ARLFC, in Wakefield,(pictured in an undated image) when he died
But he staggered and collapsed onto the pitch after just a few steps.
Mr Hawksworth lay with him protecting his neck while waiting for a paramedic – who attended Evan’s team Stanley Rangers’ club ground.
He drove Evan to nearby Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield under the advice of the paramedic.
However, the teenager lost consciousness after vomiting at Pinderfields Accident and Emergency and was rushed straight to Leeds General Infirmary for immediate surgery.
Though surgery to reduce pressure on Evan’s brain and bring a bleed caused by the injury under control was successful nothing could be done for him.
Evan is pictured with his father, Gary, and other members of his family. Coroner Jonathan Leach concluded Evan’s death was an accident
Four hours after the initial accident, operating doctors advised the primary injury to Evan’s brain had caused too much damage and nothing more could be done.
Consultant paediatrician Dr Sundarara Jan told Wakefield Coroners Court: ‘We were able to relieve the pressure and control the bleeding but the damage had already been done.’
The doctor confirmed that it was decided after speaking with Evan’s family that it was better to stop active treatment and he was given palliative care.
Evan died two days later on July 11 of severe traumatic brain injury.
Coroner Jonathan Leach concluded Evan’s death was an accident.
Evan’s father wept as he embraced Dr Sundarara Jan when he left the inquest before its conclusion.