Father's 'unbearable pain' after death of son while playing rugby for Holyrood
Thirty-year-old David Hill died in Dublin during a rugby match yesterday
Last updated 20th Mar 2022
The father of a man who died while playing rugby for the Scottish Parliament team said the "pain is unbearable".
Rodger Hill said his family is "broken" after the sudden death of David Hill, from Dumfries, on Saturday.
He said on Twitter: "I can't believe I'm writing this. My amazing son David passed away today playing rugby in Dublin for the Scottish Parliament.
"He was the best and the pain is unbearable. We are broken."
READ MORE: Tributes paid to Scottish Parliament rugby player who died during match
David, who was described as "rugby daft", worked as the head of office for Scottish Tory MSP and Holyrood justice spokesman Jamie Greene.
The 30-year-old was playing for the cross-party Holyrood team in a match against Dail and Seanad XV when he died.
While a post-mortem examination will establish the cause of death, it is understood that it may be due to a head injury and heart complications.
Mr Greene described David as a "friend, colleague and confidant for so many in the Scottish Parliament over the years".
He said he "loved his politics, but he loved his rugby more", and added: "The whole parliament, my party and the whole rugby community is deeply saddened by this awful news today, and our condolences lie entirely with his family, friends and colleagues."
David's death has prompted tributes from across Holyrood.
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Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeting: "This is so terribly sad. My deepest condolences to David's family, friends and colleagues."
She said his teammates are "all deeply shocked and heartbroken".
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: "Our whole party is shocked and saddened by David's tragic passing. He was a kind, generous, well-liked and highly respected part of our team.
"We will all miss him dearly. All our thoughts are with his family and friends."
David attended school in Dumfries and studied Politics and International Relations at Dundee University.
Friends and colleagues of David have also paid tribute online over the weekend.
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One friend, political advisor and media commentator Dan McCroskrie, said: "Totally floored at the events of yesterday.
"My friend and flatmate David passed away in Dublin during a game of rugby, a sport that he absolutely loved.
"You’ll be sorely missed mate."
David was one of the founding members of the Scottish Parliament rugby team and played scrum half for the Parliament team, Dumfries Saints and Dundee University rugby club.
He followed the Scotland national team passionately, both at home as a season ticket holder at Murrayfield and away in trips to England, Ireland and Italy.
In a statement, Scottish Rugby said: "We are shocked and saddened by David's passing today.
"Described as 'rugby daft' by his family, David played for Dumfries Saints and was a regular at Scotland internationals.
"The condolences of everyone at Scottish Rugby go out to his family and friends at this time."