Tributes have been paid to a young rugby player who represented the Scarlets at under 16 level after he died last night – just days before he was due to collect his GCSE results.
William Edward Thomas, aged 16, was found in the Llangyndeyrn area at around 5.30pm. He died later in hospital.
William was a pupil at Ysgol Gyfun Bro Myrddin and was expected to pick up his GCSE results at the school on Thursday.
As a rugby player he was force on the pitch, playing on the wing for the Scarlets under 16s regional east squad. William also played for the Carmarthen and District Schools Rugby Union Under 15s squad — and was part of the team who won the Welsh Schools Dewar Shield plate for the 2014/15 season.
He also played for Carmarthen's Quins RFC juniors.
President of the Carmarthen and District Schools Rugby Union, former Wales and Scarlets player Roy Bergiers paid tribute to William, describing him as "a wonderful talent".
Mr Bergiers said: "He was promising player with a good career ahead of him.
"He gave 110 per cent every time he played. He was a real gutsy player and always put his heart on the line.
"It is awful to hear of his sudden passing and my thoughts are with his family who were also so supportive and always on the touchline when he played."
He added: "A lot of the districts squad is drawn from Bro Myrddin school and I know this will be big blow to them, to hear of this will really knock them.
"He was a wonderful player and a team player with the boys."
Head teacher at Ysgol Gyfun Bro Myrddin Dr Llinos Thomas said: "The knowledge that Ysgol Bro Myrddin has lost a talented and popular member of its community in such sad circumstances has without a doubt been the most heart wrenching event I, and staff and pupils have had to face.
"He can only be described as a popular, well-liked and highly respected individual and the depth of loss felt by both staff and pupils cannot be put into words.
"Our thoughts at this sad time are with his family and friends and we are here as a school to offer all the support and guidance that we can at this sad time."
A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called at about 5.30pm to an address in Llangyndeyrn, Carmarthenshire.
"Two emergency ambulances attended the scene and a patient was taken to Glangwili Hospital."
Dyfed-Powys Police in a statement said: "Dyfed-Powys Police is investigating the sudden death of a 16-year-old male in the Carmarthen area. We were called at approximately 7.50pm on Monday, August 22.
"He was conveyed to hospital but sadly passed away."
The force also confirmed HM Coroner had been informed.
