Rugby star & dad-of-two Nick Koster took his own life aged just 34 at mental health clinic, court hears

RUGBY star and dad-of-two Nick Koster took his own life aged 34, a court has heard.

The South African died in July 2023 while he was an inpatient at Priory Hospital in Attleborough, Norfolk.

Nick Koster pictured with his wife JeannieCredit: Facebook

Koster played 62 matches for Bristol during an eight-year career as a flankerCredit: Getty

Tributes remembered the flanker as a “remarkable” player and “one of the best schoolboy rugby players to have ever played the game”.

During a preliminary hearing in Norwich yesterday, the court heard Koster took his own life a day before he was due to be discharged.

Eastern Daily Press reported that during the preliminary hearing, his sister Terena said there were “systemic concerns” in his mental health care that she hoped the inquest would explore.

She said: “I feel there are a lot of things that need to be understood about how his health continued to deteriorate and that is a systemic concern.”

Koster was only admitted to hospital a month earlier after he had struggled to see a NHS psychiatrist at the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.

Instead, Koster had turned to private healthcare.

He had earlier had an initial placement at a hospital in Chelmsford between May 10 and 24.

Area coroner Samantha Goward adjourned the case for a full inquest, which will be held for two days from October 1.

Koster played 62 matches for Bristol during an eight-year career as a flanker that started with the Stormers in Cape Town.

Last year, Bristol Bears paid tribute to the late rugby star stating: “Our thoughts, prayers and love are with Nick’s wife Jeannie and his two young children.”

It added that fan favourite Koster made “a remarkable impact on and off the field”.

Bath Rugby also paid tribute and said it was “deeply saddened” by Koster’s passing.

In a short statement on the club’s website, a spokesperson said: “He will be sorely missed and will always remain part of the Bath Rugby family.

“Rest in peace, Nick.”

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