British rugby coach dies after breaking back while swimming in France
A British rugby coach has died after a huge wave broke his spine while swimming in France.
Rob Walton, head coach of the Rugby Lions, was on a family holiday with his wife and children in south-western France.
He suffered fatal whiplash when a wave crashed on to him a he swum off the beach in Labenne. The area is popular among surfers for its gigantic Atlantic waves.
The Foreign Office confirmed a British national died on Monday and said it was providing consular assistance.
Both his old club, Hinckley RFC, and the Rugby Lions paid tribute to the coach, who had the nickname Yoghurt.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
Have your say Cancel reply
Subscribe/Login to Travel Mole Newsletter
Travel Mole Newsletter is a subscriber only travel trade news publication. If you are receiving this message, simply enter your email address to sign in or register if you are not. In order to display the B2B travel content that meets your business needs, we need to know who are and what are your business needs. ITR is free to our subscribers.































Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025