Connor Garden-Bachop has died

[Gumboot]

Just tragic. RIP

Highlanders rugby player Connor Garden-Bachop has died.

Garden-Bachop, an outside back, is the son of former All Black Stephen Bachop and former Black Fern Sue Garden-Bachop who died in 2009 after a long battle with cancer. He is also the nephew of former All Black Graeme Bachop.

It’s understood Garden-Bachop died after a medical event on Monday evening at a relative’s home in Christchurch.

The 25-year-old, who also played for the Wellington Lions and Canterbury in the NPC, debuted for the Highlanders in 2021 as the club’s 300th player and was awarded the club’s Rookie of the Year.

He was also selected for the Māori All Blacks in 2022, making his debut during a two-test series against Ireland.

The Highlanders posted on Facebook last week announcing several players who were confirmed as not returning for the team next season, including Garden-Bachop.

Garden-Bachop posted on Instagram several days ago thanking the Highlanders for an “unforgettable five years”.

“Thank you to everyone in the south for making me feel at home, and thank you to the boys I have been honoured to share the field with, it’s been a pleasure, I will miss you all. Till next time #300.”

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350314447 ... p-has-died

[Enzedder]

Oh man, far too young. 2 young kids too.

I hear it was a medical event but I wonder what that could mean.

[Kiwias]

desperately sad for his family, with such young kids.

RIP

[Tichtheid]

That is tragic.

RIP.

[Slick]

Horrible.

Quite the rugby family

[Uncle fester]

Devastating for the family

[Torquemada 1420]

"medical event" is a slightly curious statement.

He had kids?

[duke]

Reported elsewhere as an aneurysm- no age at all

[Big D]

Oh man, far too young. 2 young kids too.

I hear it was a medical event but I wonder what that could mean.

I think they try and say enough to imply it wasn't their own doing. Similarly to "brief illness".

Where as "passed suddenly" has often been someone taking things into their own hands so to speak.

Sad news. No age at all. Scary really.

[Enzedder]

Reported elsewhere as an aneurysm- no age at all

Many years ago, a work colleague died of one of those - large as life at lunchtime and dead by dinner. Same age too.

[Dan54]

Reported elsewhere as an aneurysm- no age at all

Many years ago, a work colleague died of one of those - large as life at lunchtime and dead by dinner. Same age too.

My youngest sister dies of this just 6 weeks ago. Got home from work , said something cheeky to husband, got in shower, next minute husband is pulling her dead body out of shower, Absolutely devastating and then a couple of weeks ago wifes 35YO nephew passed away, he got a virus somehow in brai, had a massive seizure, was put in a coma for a few wekks. He left behing 3 young sons, and I still reeling from them both, and think it reminds us all. Live your life now, don't sweat on the minor things (people wonder why I don't get depressed if my team loses etc) and basically just don't shit on people etc, it could be them it happens too etc!

[Tichtheid]

Reported elsewhere as an aneurysm- no age at all

Many years ago, a work colleague died of one of those - large as life at lunchtime and dead by dinner. Same age too.

My youngest sister dies of this just 6 weeks ago. Got home from work , said something cheeky to husband, got in shower, next minute husband is pulling her dead body out of shower, Absolutely devastating and then a couple of weeks ago wifes 35YO nephew passed away, he got a virus somehow in brai, had a massive seizure, was put in a coma for a few wekks. He left behing 3 young sons, and I still reeling from them both, and think it reminds us all. Live your life now, don't sweat on the minor things (people wonder why I don't get depressed if my team loses etc) and basically just don't shit on people etc, it could be them it happens too etc!

I'm very sorry to hear that, Dan.

Sincere condolences.

[Enzedder]

Holy shit Dan - condolences man. That would be so hard to cope with.

[Dan54]

Holy shit Dan - condolences man. That would be so hard to cope with.

I will be honest NZer, when I heard about youngest sister I stopped being any kind of hard man and stood there crying. Although she was coming up to 60 all I saw was this little kid I used to give bottles etc. And wifes nephew, until the day I die I will see a memorey, he was bought home and was in his coffin in sitting room, we were all in another room and I glanced into sitting room, and there was his 8yo son sitting on a barstool just gazing at his father quietly, and holding smartphone playing some country music his dad loved. I still seem to be in a dusty room when I think of it.

Also saw the best of people etc, he lived in a small town and coached 8yos rugby team, the night after he passed was training, the team had arrived the grandad who had taken over team, sent kids for run to goalposts and back , had a moment silence, then all the parents took team to nephew place , kids lined u, were lead in by a mother doing a wiaata, and then while parents visited his wife all the team just played rugby on front lawn.

[Gumboot]

Condolences to you and your family, Dan.

[Guy Smiley]

Sincere condolences Dan, to you and your family.

[Uncle fester]

Condolences to you and your family, Dan.

This. Tough read Dan. Life is very short.

[dpedin]

Holy shit Dan - condolences man. That would be so hard to cope with.

I will be honest NZer, when I heard about youngest sister I stopped being any kind of hard man and stood there crying. Although she was coming up to 60 all I saw was this little kid I used to give bottles etc. And wifes nephew, until the day I die I will see a memorey, he was bought home and was in his coffin in sitting room, we were all in another room and I glanced into sitting room, and there was his 8yo son sitting on a barstool just gazing at his father quietly, and holding smartphone playing some country music his dad loved. I still seem to be in a dusty room when I think of it.

Also saw the best of people etc, he lived in a small town and coached 8yos rugby team, the night after he passed was training, the team had arrived the grandad who had taken over team, sent kids for run to goalposts and back , had a moment silence, then all the parents took team to nephew place , kids lined u, were lead in by a mother doing a wiaata, and then while parents visited his wife all the team just played rugby on front lawn.

Dan - I share your grief. My elder sister died of same 40 years ago at age of 29. Fell unconscious at work and never regained consciousness. Left husband and two young daughters. Only bright moment was that she helped 4 other people with organ transplants. It broke my family apart. My dad was distraught and died of a heart attack a year later at age of 59. BiL never got over it and drank himself to death. My youngest niece never got over losing her mum, had a difficult life and eventually died of a drugs overdose just a year ago. The pain never goes away, you just have to learn to live with it. Unfortunately some cant!

[Kiwias]

My youngest sister dies of this just 6 weeks ago. Got home from work , said something cheeky to husband, got in shower, next minute husband is pulling her dead body out of shower, Absolutely devastating and then a couple of weeks ago wifes 35YO nephew passed away, he got a virus somehow in brai, had a massive seizure, was put in a coma for a few wekks. He left behing 3 young sons, and I still reeling from them both, and think it reminds us all. Live your life now, don't sweat on the minor things (people wonder why I don't get depressed if my team loses etc) and basically just don't shit on people etc, it could be them it happens too etc!

Oh shit, mate. what a terrible time for you and all the families.

[Kiwias]

Dan - I share your grief. My elder sister died of same 40 years ago at age of 29. Fell unconscious at work and never regained consciousness. Left husband and two young daughters. Only bright moment was that she helped 4 other people with organ transplants. It broke my family apart. My dad was distraught and died of a heart attack a year later at age of 59. BiL never got over it and drank himself to death. My youngest niece never got over losing her mum, had a difficult life and eventually died of a drugs overdose just a year ago. The pain never goes away, you just have to learn to live with it. Unfortunately some cant!

What a tragedy for all involved.

[Tichtheid]

Dan - I share your grief. My elder sister died of same 40 years ago at age of 29. Fell unconscious at work and never regained consciousness. Left husband and two young daughters. Only bright moment was that she helped 4 other people with organ transplants. It broke my family apart. My dad was distraught and died of a heart attack a year later at age of 59. BiL never got over it and drank himself to death. My youngest niece never got over losing her mum, had a difficult life and eventually died of a drugs overdose just a year ago. The pain never goes away, you just have to learn to live with it. Unfortunately some cant!

How awful. I'm so sorry to read that.

[epwc]

Condolences, I lost my older brother to a heart attack years ago. Hits hard when you lose someone suddenly

[Grandpa]

Dan54 and dpedin that is so sad to hear. I'm currently looking after my bedridden mother... and am just grateful she is still with us, even though her quality of life isn't great. But these things do make life seem so random and pointless at times. That it can be taken away for no reason at all... just screws with your mind...

[Dan54]

Dan - I share your grief. My elder sister died of same 40 years ago at age of 29. Fell unconscious at work and never regained consciousness. Left husband and two young daughters. Only bright moment was that she helped 4 other people with organ transplants. It broke my family apart. My dad was distraught and died of a heart attack a year later at age of 59. BiL never got over it and drank himself to death. My youngest niece never got over losing her mum, had a difficult life and eventually died of a drugs overdose just a year ago. The pain never goes away, you just have to learn to live with it. Unfortunately some cant!

What a tragedy for all involved.

And strangely enough, and probably makes me not very nice etc? I have had 3 brothers and a sister pass away in last few years, that didn't have the same pain. Mainly because they had reached a reasonable age etc or something and so accepting it easier? I come from a pretty big famile (was 12 susters and 6 boys) and as older sister (84yo) said at youngest sisters funeral, what the hell am I still doing here whenyoungest one goes etc.
Kind of what got me with Nephew and sister, and why I kind of think with Garden-Bachop or any younger one especially with kids etc.
Sometimes there seems no justice in this world?

[Dan54]

Dan - I share your grief. My elder sister died of same 40 years ago at age of 29. Fell unconscious at work and never regained consciousness. Left husband and two young daughters. Only bright moment was that she helped 4 other people with organ transplants. It broke my family apart. My dad was distraught and died of a heart attack a year later at age of 59. BiL never got over it and drank himself to death. My youngest niece never got over losing her mum, had a difficult life and eventually died of a drugs overdose just a year ago. The pain never goes away, you just have to learn to live with it. Unfortunately some cant!

What a tragedy for all involved.

And strangely enough, and probably makes me not very nice etc? I have had 3 brothers and a sister pass away in last few years, that didn't have the same pain. Mainly because they had reached a reasonable age etc or something and so accepting it easier? I come from a pretty big famile (was 12 susters and 6 boys) and as older sister (84yo) said at youngest sisters funeral, what the hell am I still doing here whenyoungest one goes etc.
Kind of what got me with Nephew and sister, and why I kind of think with Garden-Bachop or any younger one especially with kids etc.
Sometimes there seems no justice in this world?

[OomStruisbaai]

Sad news. RIP.

[lemonhead]

Guys, that is heartbreaking to read.

May sound stupid but thanks for sharing. As time goes on you really do learn to live for what matters.

[OomStruisbaai]

Dan Vasbyt Boet.

[Torquemada 1420]

Reported elsewhere as an aneurysm- no age at all

Many years ago, a work colleague died of one of those - large as life at lunchtime and dead by dinner. Same age too.

My youngest sister dies of this just 6 weeks ago. Got home from work , said something cheeky to husband, got in shower, next minute husband is pulling her dead body out of shower, Absolutely devastating and then a couple of weeks ago wifes 35YO nephew passed away, he got a virus somehow in brai, had a massive seizure, was put in a coma for a few wekks. He left behing 3 young sons, and I still reeling from them both, and think it reminds us all. Live your life now, don't sweat on the minor things (people wonder why I don't get depressed if my team loses etc) and basically just don't shit on people etc, it could be them it happens too etc!

FM.

Condolences.

[Enzedder]

Funeral today was huge evidently.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350322424 ... den-bachop