An 18-year-old student has collapsed and died suddenly after traveling to the UK to work during a sabbatical year.
Jack Ryan from Australia dropped dead in the bathroom at his accommodation over the weekend.
Ryan was working in south-east England as part of the “Letz Live” program at the Dulwich Cranbrook school in Kent, according to the Daily Mail.
The 18-year-old was considered “healthy” and was very active in sports.
He is reported to have been a skilled cricketer and rugby player.
No other details regarding the circumstances of the teenager’s unexpected passing have been revealed.
The cause of death is unknown.
Even the family says they have no idea how the teen died so suddenly.
Ryan’s father, Peter, is on his way to the UK to get some answers regarding his son’s death.
The young student had accepted a spot at Newcastle University to study teaching after his sabbatical year.
However, he was also considering moving back home to the Sunshine Coast in his native Australia to be closer to his family and start a trade.
His school friends have set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to bring him home.
The donations have reached almost $41,000.
“On behalf of the boys of Macarthur Waddy, this is a fundraiser for a Kings’ old boy who has recently passed away,” the description reads.
“Jack was a student at The Kings School who was loved by all, and we aim to assist his parents in bringing him back from overseas, where he was enjoying his time as a Gappie in the UK.”
Prior to boarding at King’s School, Ryan attended Hunter Valley Grammar School.
He played for the Maitland Blacks Rugby Club and the Northern Suburbs Cricket Club.
The cricket club posted a tribute on Facebook on Monday, describing the news as “heartbreaking.”
“A true gentleman that inspired so many – on and off the field,” the post said.
“Jack will always be dearly missed by all that were privileged to have known him.”
The post added that the club’s “heart and thoughts” were with Ryan’s devasted family.
Ryan’s mother, Kate, thanked those who had donated to the fundraiser and offered their family support.
“We didn’t realize he had touched so many lives,” she said.
Ryan’s grandfather, James, described him as a “self-assured, honest, confident, loving, kind, loyal, caring man whom so many fortunate individuals came to call a mate.”
“I came to realize that he had become the product of input from so many sources, loving parents, his brother and forebears, knowledge from Bolwarra Primary, H.V Grammar, Kings College, and his Macarthur Waddy family coupled with his innate decency, talent, gregarious nature, and spontaneity,” the heartbroken grandpa wrote in a moving online tribute.
A spokesperson for Letz Live said the company was “devastated to hear of the loss of Jack Ryan, who tragically passed away whilst in the UK.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Jack’s family and friends during this difficult time and we are providing support to those affected by this tragedy,” the spokesperson added.
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