The Abbotsford Rugby Football Club is mourning after one of their players was killed in a car crash Tuesday.
Trent Bourke, 26, died when his Hyundai Tucson collided with an SUV headed in the opposite direction on the Golden Ears Bridge. Occupants of the other vehicle were taken to hospital.
While police didn’t release any names, the Abbotsford Rugby Football Club has identified Bourke, who lived in Maple Ridge as the crash’s victim.
“It is with deep sadness that we report the sudden passing of Trent “Bones” Bourke,” the club wrote on its Facebook page. “Bones was a vibrant, friendly, and dedicated member of the ARFC rugby community with a huge heart and an opportunistic exuberance on the pitch. He was active in rugby union, rugby sevens, and rugby league, having recently returned from a rugby league exchange in Australia with the Jamberoos.”
“Bones had a zest for life and regularly found a way to positively connect with all those around him. Our condolences go out to his family and friends. He will be deeply missed.”
On Twitter, the club wrote: “Everyone that met Trent was better off for having done so. He embodied everything that was good about rugby. He is loved and greatly missed.”
In addition to playing locally for ARFC, Bourke had represented both British Columbia at the national level, and Canada at the international rugby league level.
Tributes to Bourke have pulled in from around the B.C.. Canadian and International rugby community.
Sad hearing the loss of Trent Bourke. Thoughts are with his family + @AbbotsfordRFC friends. Great rugby man. Awesome person. RIP Bones.
— Capilano RFC (@CapilanoRFC) November 23, 2016
