Promising rugby player dies in London

A promising Australian rugby union player died when he was electrocuted on a railway line in England. Dan Robinson, 21, who played for Gordon in the Sydney club competition, was killed crossing rail tracks in London on Sunday night, according to club general manager David Bezer.

He was in London to meet up with brother Beau, a former NSW Waratahs flanker now playing in Italy.

“It was Dan’s first holiday overseas and he was with his mates and got separated,” Bezer said on Monday.

“Dan went to find his way home and unfortunately crossed the tracks of the railway line and was electrocuted.

“The lines are electrocuted, unbeknown to Dan. Being a country lad, he would think nothing of jumping across the line to get from one side of the paddock to the other.”

Robinson, who grew up near Dubbo before moving to Sydney to pursue his rugby career, was a former NSW Rugby Academy player.

Bezer said Robinson had been poised to challenge for a regular starting spot at halfback in Gordon’s first grade side this year.

“Not only was his rugby on the move but he was also our rugby operations manager with a great career in sports management ahead of him,” Bezer continued.

“He wanted to force his way up the rugby ranks and aim for a potential Super 15 guernsey in the years to come.

“He was very talented. Dan was living life to the fullest and he passed away a happy boy. It was just a freak, tragic accident.”

According to Bezer, English police will conduct an inquest before his body is returned to Australia.

Robinson is survived by his brother and parents Larry and Chris.