Former Rugby League player dies after plunging from hotel balcony in Ibiza

A former rugby league player has died after plunging from a hotel balcony in Ibiza.

Luke Rhoden, 25, is understood to have been running around ‘like a madman’ before falling or jumping from the first floor room but survived.

It is believed Rhoden, who played as a prop forward for Wigan Warriors in the same junior team as Sam and Joel Tomkins before moving to Oldham Roughyeds, was then involved in a struggle with Spanish Civil Guard officers.

Officers had to restrain him as they put him into an ambulance at the Ibiza Rocks Hotel in San Antonio.

Paramedics spent 40 minutes trying to revive him but he died in the ambulance.

Tributes have been paid to Luke from members of the rugby league world.

Wigan Warriors head coach Shaun Wane said: “I was absolutely devastated and saddened when news reached me of Luke’s death.

“I almost crashed my car I was so shocked and taken aback because I knew him well and he was great lad. It’s a real tragedy.

“It is very hard coming to terms with what’s happened because I spent a lot of time working and coaching Luke when he was a young player coming through.

“They were good times and Luke was so keen.

“I coached him at Wigan when he was in the junior ranks at 16’s, 17’s and 18’s level. He was a good lad who would look after himself.

“He was what I would term a rough diamond.

“He went into the semi professional ranks before ending up at Oldham.”

“I really feel for his family at this very sad time.”

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Oldham chairman Chris Hamilton said: “I am very saddened to learn of Luke’s death.

“He was one of those talented players who came from Wigan, trained and played hard and always gave 100 percent. He always showed total commitment.”

It is understood Luke no longer played professional rugby league.

A post mortem is due to be carried out to establish the cause of death.

It will also determine if Mr Rhoden had been drinking or taking drugs before the tragedy.

A Civil Guard source said: “He was a guest at the Ibiza Rocks Hotel and he was running around like a madman shouting that people wanted to kill him.

“We were called at 10.30 when he jumped from a first-floor room and landed on a patio below.

“Our officers restrained him and put him in an ambulance but he died in the ambulance before it left the area of the hotel.

“The autopsy will establish the cause of death and whether drink and drugs were involved.”

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We can confirm the death of a British national in Ibiza on 3 September.

“We are providing consular assistance to the family at this difficult time.”

Article source: http://www.skysports.com/rugbyunion/match_preview/0,,11069_62474_1,00.html

Former Rugby League player dies after plunging from hotel balcony in Ibiza