Eton College schoolboy dies after collapsing on field during match – as heartbreaking final words he heard revealed
AN Eton schoolboy has died after collapsing on field in front of teammates during a match.
Raphaël Pryor, 17, died on Saturday afternoon during a ‘Field Game’ at the Berkshire college.
His parents Michael Pryor and Sabine Vandenbroucke revealed the last words Raphaël would have heard were "well played Raphy".
Onlookers rushed to the lad’s aide and performed CPR after he collapsed during a game.
His dad, who was playing a fixture on a neighbouring pitch, was called over as he fell.
Despite the best efforts of the medical services the teen was tragically declared dead.
'WELL-PLAYED RAPHY'
In an emotional statement, his parents told of the loss of their “beautiful son and only child".
They said: “We take comfort from the fact that he was doing what he loved, he knew he was loved, and he was surrounded by friends.
"The last words he heard from his father on the touchline were, ‘Well played Raphy’.
“He was enthusiastic, empathetic, quick-witted, funny, and kind. He was a fascinating bilingual fusion of his Belgian and English origins.
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"As the many wonderful messages we have received show, Raphaël was hitting his stride as adulthood approached, a much-loved and respected leader on the sporting field and within the community of his boys’ house.
“He brought a fast-growing emotional intelligence to everything he did. He even surprised us by excelling in a leading role in a play last Autumn.
“He was an excellent fisherman and skier, adored by those who taught him. He also loved History. He was to spend the winter as a ski instructor and hoped to read French and History at university, connecting his roots with his passion.
“It is desperate to be so cruelly deprived of what we hoped would be a wonderful future, but we are so grateful to have participated in a life full of love and happiness, friendship, and memories that will never be forgotten.
"Raphaël made us better people and we will miss him so.”
The world-famous school lowered its royal standard flag to half-mast for the first time since the deaths of the late Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.
'EVERYONE IS SHATTERED'
Counsellors have been drafted in to help pals come to terms with the devastating loss of “outstanding” Raphaël.
Saturday saw nine school teams take on Old Boys' teams in their unique Field Game – a cross between football and rugby.
A source told The Sun: “Raphaël was loved and adored by everyone that knew him. Everyone is shattered at what has happened.
“The tragedy unfolded with Raphaël’s beloved father on the adjacent pitch. We are all numb and sending love to his family.”
Additional specialist support is being provided for pupils and staff by on-site counsellors at Eton.
Eton headmaster Simon Henderson told The Sun: “Raphaël was an outstanding young man who lived with joy in his heart, sharing it widely and powerfully. He had the brightest of futures ahead of him.
“In his life at Eton Raphaël brought so much to his friends and to those who taught and cared for him, including to those who played with and against him on the games field, where he excelled as one of the House Captains of Games.
“The whole Eton community is deeply saddened and shocked by this news. As we mourn his tragic death, our hearts go out to Raphaël’s parents, his family and his friends.”
Raphaël’s House Master, Joe Dangerfield, added: “He lived with joy in his heart, sharing it widely and powerfully.”
The popular teen was Eton’s House Captain of Games and the photo of him released by his family was taken two days before he died after he had led his team to victory in a major school competition.
Twenty British Prime Ministers have attended Eton, including David Cameron, Boris Johnson and Harold Macmillan.
The Royal Family have also sent members to the prestigious school, including both Prince William and Prince Harry.
The Field Game dates back to around 1815. It is played on a football pitch with 11 players per team but the ball is smaller and they use small, square net-less goals.
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There are scrums like rugby and the rules are so complex they take two-years for players to grasp.
The sport is only played at the school and so the current Year 12 and 13 boys arrange games each weekend against Old Etonians.
Prince George tours prestigious Eton College with William & Kate
By MATT WILKINSON
PRINCE George was shown around prestigious Eton College in June last year — suggesting he is set to follow in his father’s footsteps.
The future King, nine, was joined by dad William — a former pupil with brother Harry — and mum Kate as he explored the £45,000-a-year boys-only school.
Dressed smartly in shorts, he was spotted with his parents as they walked beside the Porters’ Lodge at the college.
If he wishes to go to Eton, where pupils start aged 13, they must act fast.
Parents of prospective pupils have to register an interest three years in advance as the school is so sought-after and George will be ten next month.
At present, he goes to Lambrook in Ascot, Berks, with sister Charlotte, eight, and brother Louis, five.
William and Kate, both 41, moved from Kensington Palace to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor last summer so the children would be nearer the school.
Windsor Castle is only a short walk from Eton, which was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI.
As pupils, Princes William and Harry, now 38, would often walk back to the castle for tea with the late Queen.
King Charles, 74, did not go to Eton and was sent to Gordonstoun in Moray, Scotland which he disliked and referred to as “Colditz in kilts”.
Other famous former old Etonians have included Boris Johnson, 59, and fellow former PM David Cameron, 56. Actors Eddie Redmayne, 41, and Tom Hiddleston, 42, and James Bond author Ian Fleming also went there.
There have been rumours the Wales’s were also considering Kate’s former school, Marlborough College, Wilts, for their children’s education.