Fiji rugby international killed at 30 as car 'hit by train in front of team-mates'
Fiji rugby international killed at 30 as car 'hit by train in front of team-mates'
Tragic news has emerged from France this morning with the rugby world left in shock
Raisuqe (left) has been killed in a tragic accident at the age of 30
Fijian international Josaia Raisuqe has been killed in a road accident, according to reports in France.
The Castres wing was reportedly involved in the accident while he was on his way to training with the French club and he passed away this morning. He was just 30 years old. Multiple reports in France say that Raisuqe's car was hit by a train while at a level crossing, although the exact circumstances of the accident are yet to be determined.
It has also been reported that the Castres players have been released for the day, with their match with Clermont on Saturday afternoon now set to be postponed.
Midi Olympique report that the winger died instantly after his vehicle was hit by a train at a level crossing in the Saix area, with several of his teammates "present at the scene of the accident and witnessing the incident".
Raisuque spent the majority of his career in France, representing Stade Francais and Nevers as well as Castres, while he had agreed to join Brive in the Pro D2 ahead of next season.
The Fijian finished the 2018/19 season as the Pro D2's top try scorer, having scored 15 tries over the course of the campaign.
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He also made 21 appearances for the Fiji 7s team, helping them to win a silver medal at the Paris Olympics last year.
Castres are yet to make an official statement, but changed their club logo on social media to black and white as the tragic news broke on Thursday morning.
Meanwhile, other clubs from around France have paid tribute.
A statement from Toulouse issued on Thursday morning read: "Toulouse were shocked to learn of the death of Josaia Raisuqe this morning in a road accident.
'The entire club wishes to express its support and sincere condolences to his family, loved ones and his club, Castres Olympique.'
Toulon also paid tribute, with a club statement reading: "Rugby Club Toulonnais is devastated to learn of the death of Josaia Raisuqe this morning, while he was on his way to training.
"Our thoughts go out to his family, his loved ones, his teammates, the Castres Olympique club and his supporters."
A statement from Vannes read: "The @RugbyClubVannes learned with horror this morning of the death of Josaia Raisuqe in a road accident.
"We would like to express our support and our most sincere condolences to his family, his loved ones, his teammates and to the entire @CastresRugby."
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Raisuqe's former Nevers coach Xavier Péméja told Midi Olympique: "Josaia was an absolutely adorable boy. He was always the first in training, whether it was raining, windy or snowing
"On the pitch, he was capable of incredible flashes of brilliance. He did us a world of good when he arrived at the club. All his opponents feared him, he was a try-scoring machine."
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