15:00 | Urubamba (Cusco region), Sep. 16.
Former world rugby star Eddie Butler was found dead inside a tent in Ollantaytambo district, Urubamba province (Cusco region) on Thursday, the National Police of Peru has reported.
65-year-old Butler was a former Wales captain, also noted as a player for the British & Irish Lions.
In recent years, he had worked as a rugby commentator.
The police in Cusco reported that they were notified about the passing via phone call at around 8:30 a.m. (local time).
Once agents arrived in the area, they confirmed the death of the Welsh tourist at a camp located at kilometer 82 of the Ollantaytambo-Machu Picchu Railway.
The visitor was identified as Edward 'Eddie' Thomas Butler.
His passing was reported to the Public Ministry representative, Prosecutor Hugo Jara, who ordered that the corresponding proceedings be carried out.
The victim was found in the supine position, wearing a gray long-sleeved t-shirt. He was covered by a gray and red sleeping bag.
Foreign media outlets have highlighted that Eddie Butler had represented Wales on 16 occasions between 1980 and 1984. He was part of the British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand in 1983. Butler had risen to fame with Pontypool in the 1970s.
The veteran commentator died in his sleep during a charity walk event on the Inca Trail in Peru.
"The Prostate Cymru charity is devastated by the passing of its much loved Ambassador Eddie Butler," the organization said in a
statement.
"Over the last week Ed once again showed his generosity and steadfast commitment to good causes by joining 25 Prostate Cymru fundraisers, including his daughter Nell, on the Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu."
"In the early hours of Thursday 15 September, Ed passed away peacefully in his sleep at Ecoinka base camp in the Peruvian Andes. He leaves behind his wife Susan and six children, who are very much in our thoughts," it added.
(END) PHS/MAO/MVB
Published: 9/16/2022