Two men arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after death of teenage rugby player in France 

Two men are arrested on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence over the death of British rugby player, 16, found dead in the south of France

  • Harry Sykes, 16, was on a rugby tour in the south of France last September
  • The group had spent a day on an idyllic lake near the town of Carcassonne
  • Harry went missing and his body was discovered a couple of hours later
  • Today police in Yorkshire said two were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter 

Harry Sykes, 16, from Bradford, died at a lake in the south of France last September

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence after the death of a 16-year-old British rugby player in the south of France.

Harry Sykes, from Bradford, was touring with Halifax Elite Rugby Academy when he died while playing in a lake on September 5 last year.

The boys spent the day at the idyllic Lac de la Cavayère, near the medieval town of Carcassonne, enjoying pedalos and water slides – but the alarm was raised one of their number had gone missing at 8.30pm.

Divers searched the lake and Harry’s body was discovered at 10.45pm, leaving his family, friends and club heartbroken.

On Friday a spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: ‘Police have arrested two men in connection with an investigation into the death of Bradford teenager Harry Sykes. 

The boys spent the day at the idyllic Lac de la Cavayère. This picture was taken just before the tragedy

The boys spent the day at the idyllic Lac de la Cavayère. This picture was taken just before the tragedy

Mr Sykes, who was travelling with the Halifax Rugby League Academy, disappeared from the party around 8.30pm and was discovered at 10.45pm

Mr Sykes, who was travelling with the Halifax Rugby League Academy, disappeared from the party around 8.30pm and was discovered at 10.45pm

The lads from Halifax Elite Rugby Academy had enjoyed a sunny day on the lake before Harry went missing

The lads from Halifax Elite Rugby Academy had enjoyed a sunny day on the lake before Harry went missing 

‘Both have been released under investigation and enquiries are continuing.

‘They were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence.’

Harry’s mum, Natasha Burton, and his step-dad, Daniel Burton, from Bradford, West Yorkshire, said they were aware of the men’s arrests but did not wish to comment further.

A statement has been issued by the Rugby Football League Benevolent Fund which supports the families of rugby players in distress.

It reads: ‘The family of Harry Sykes has been informed by West Yorkshire Police that they are conducting a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding Harry’s death in France in September 2018.

The boys spent the day at the idyllic Lac de la Cavayère, near the medieval town of Carcassonne, enjoying pedalos and water slides - but the alarm was raised one of their number had gone missing at 8.30pm.

The boys spent the day at the idyllic Lac de la Cavayère, near the medieval town of Carcassonne, enjoying pedalos and water slides – but the alarm was raised one of their number had gone missing at 8.30pm.

 

‘The RFL Benevolent Fund is continuing to support Harry’s family, who remain deeply upset at their tragic loss.

‘The Sykes family have asked that their privacy, and that of Harry’s friends and team-mates, be respected to allow the police to conduct a full and fair investigation.

‘No further statements will be issued until the authorities in France and the UK have concluded their investigations.’

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