Tributes have been paid to a student and young rugby player who has died after being hit by a car. Liam O’Connor was a pedestrian when he was struck by a silver Peugeot 308 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where he had recently completed his second year at Newcastle University.
The 20-year-old, from Manchester, was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries in the early hours of Saturday morning (June 10) but later died. Liam had been part of the developing player programme and junior academy at Sale Sharks rugby club.
He had also played rugby for St Ambrose School, Didsbury Toc H and Heaton Moor, where he won player of the season on multiple occasions. Liam also represented Lancashire from under-13s to under-18s and played for the Newcastle Medics during his studies.
