NPR

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 wrote: Mon Jun 17, 2024 11:45 pm Oh man, far too young. 2 young kids too.

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

duke wrote: Tue Jun 18, 2024 6:26 pm Reported elsewhere as an aneurysm- no age at all

Enzedder wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2024 6:51 am

duke wrote: Tue Jun 18, 2024 6:26 pm 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 wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2024 7:25 am

Enzedder wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2024 6:51 am

duke wrote: Tue Jun 18, 2024 6:26 pm 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!

Enzedder wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2024 7:45 am Holy shit Dan - condolences man. That would be so hard to cope with.

Gumboot wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2024 8:44 am Condolences to you and your family, Dan.

Dan54 wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2024 8:43 am

Enzedder wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2024 7:45 am 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.

Dan54 wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2024 7:25 am
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!

dpedin wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2024 9:32 am
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!

dpedin wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2024 9:32 am

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 wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2024 11:17 am

dpedin wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2024 9:32 am
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.

Kiwias wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2024 11:17 am

dpedin wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2024 9:32 am
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.

Dan54 wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2024 7:25 am

Enzedder wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2024 6:51 am

duke wrote: Tue Jun 18, 2024 6:26 pm 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!