Tributes have been paid to an "amazing" and "cheeky" rugby player who drowned in a hotel swimming pool on a family holiday in Cyprus. Amateur rugby league player Ben Woods was staying in Paphos, on the Southwest coast of the Mediterranean island, when tragedy struck on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old, from Leigh, near Wigan, was reportedly pulled out of the swimming pool at King Evelthon Hotel, but could not be revived and later passed away. Following his death, “devastated” friends and family described the keen sportsman as an “absolute legend” and their “hero”.
His grief-stricken brother, Josh Woods, who plays for professional rugby league side Newcastle Thunder in the Championship, a division below the sport's top flight, said he wished he was just experiencing a “nightmare”.
READ MORE: ''Good riddance": Manchester doesn’t mourn Boris - but who replaces him?
He wrote on Twitter: “The best person ever my brother my best friend and my hero I love you so much and just want this be a nightmare. Fly high up there Ben RIP.”
Pal Ethan Hill said: “I couldn’t say a bad word about the lad, one of the best lads I’ve ever known and an amazing family who deserve the world. A lot of us are devastated and don’t know what to do or think, one of the worst things to happen to one of the most amazing lads
Another friend wrote on Facebook: “Ben Woods you will be a massive hole in everyone’s hearts. Coming out of lock down you spent so much time here with all the lads.
"Always in the centre of making everyone smile, laugh, dance & have a great time. Sending all our love & thoughts to the Woods family & Eastleigh lads….the massive circle of friends you had. Fly high Ben.”
Another mate said: “Rest in peace Ben Woods Absolute legend. Always made time for anyone and made them giggle!
"Will miss our catch's up weekly and all your song requests. Very sadly missed. Gutted.”
Ben’s rugby club, Leigh East, also paid tribute to the young man, who they described as always having a “cheeky smile”. A spokesperson said: “It is with the greatest sadness we have to announce the passing of Ben Woods, one of our young Open Age players, after an accident on holiday with his family.
“Ben had played at Leigh East from a very young age and had progressed through the age groups to become a valuable member of our club. Ben was always there with a cheeky smile and will be sorely missed.
"Our thoughts and condolences go out to Mick, Mel and Josh, his family and friends at this saddest of times. RIP young man, you will never be forgotten.”
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
Inside the cheapest house you can buy in Greater Manchester that could be yours for just £15,000
Mother's fury after her 18-month-old was left with bump after smacking his head on a bus journey
Insults with your burger? A sweary night out at Karen’s Diner where the service is the pits
'Confused' cyclist rides wrong way along motorway into oncoming traffic
