A coroner's court has heard the devastating details of how a teenage rugby star, tipped for a future in the England squad, died from a ruptured spleen after doctors tragically misdiagnosed his critical condition as an infection and sent him home.
Seventeen-year-old Daniel Lane, a formidable prop forward described as a 'gentle giant' with immense potential, collapsed at his family home in Cornwall just hours after being discharged from hospital. The inquest into his death is now examining the catastrophic failure to identify his life-threatening injury.
A Promise Cut Short
Daniel was a rising talent in the rugby world, having already represented Cornwall at the under-20 level. His strength and skill on the pitch had marked him as a future professional player, with coaches and scouts predicting a likely call-up to the national team. His sudden death has sent shockwaves through the local and sporting community.
A Cascade of Medical Errors
The hearing was told that Daniel was first taken to hospital after falling ill with vomiting and severe abdominal pain—classic symptoms of internal bleeding. Despite presenting with these red flags, medical staff allegedly diagnosed him with a viral infection and provided anti-sickness medication.
Critical evidence given to the coroner suggests that a proper examination to rule out abdominal trauma, a fundamental protocol for any athlete presenting with such symptoms, was not conducted. He was discharged and advised to rest.
Tragically, Daniel's spleen had ruptured, likely due to a impact sustained during a rugby match. The condition causes massive internal bleeding and is fatal if not treated immediately with surgery.
A Family's Unimaginable Loss
Daniel's family recounted the harrowing moment they found him collapsed. Rushed back to hospital by ambulance, he could not be saved. A post-mortem examination later confirmed the cause of death as a ruptured spleen.
The inquest continues as the coroner seeks to establish the full sequence of events and whether his death could have been prevented. The case has sparked urgent calls for greater awareness of sports-related internal injuries and more rigorous diagnostic procedures in A&E departments for athletes.
