Eton College schoolboy dies after collapsing on playing fields as father cheered him on

An Eton College schoolboy collapsed and died on the school playing field as his father cheered: “Well played Raphy” from the sidelines.

The last words Raphaël Pryor heard were his father Michael’s shouts of encouragement before he fell to the ground on Saturday during a Field Game match.

The 17-year-old, who was in Year 13, was pronounced dead on the same day despite the efforts of medics.

His parents, Michael Pryor and Sabine Vandenbroucke, said their only child had died “doing what he loved”.

In a joint statement, they said: “We are devastated by the tragic death of our beautiful son and only child Raphaël.

“We take comfort from the fact that he was doing what he loved, he knew he was loved, and he was surrounded by friends.”

Raphaël was taking part in a Field Game tournament, which pitted current pupils against old Etonians, when he died.

The game, which dates back to 1847, is a variation of football that is played only at Eton College.

His father Michael, a barrister and a former Eton pupil, had been playing earlier and was watching his son from the touchline when he collapsed.

‘Raphaël made us better people’

Following his death, Raphaël’s parents said they felt “cruelly deprived” by his death.

Their statement said: “He was enthusiastic, empathetic, quick-witted, funny, and kind. He was a fascinating bilingual fusion of his Belgian and English origins.

“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.”