The rugby community in France is mourning the loss of Thomas Gay, a school coach who died in a car accident on January 18, 2024. Gay, who was 32 years old, was the coach of Coq Léguevinois, a rugby school for children aged 6 to 14 in the town of Léguevin, near Toulouse. He was also a former player for the club, having joined them in 2010.
What happened to Thomas Gay?
According to local media reports, Thomas Gay was driving on the A64 motorway near Muret, south of Toulouse, when he collided with a truck that had stopped on the emergency lane. The impact was so violent that his car caught fire and he was trapped inside. The firefighters arrived on the scene but could not save him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The truck driver, who was unhurt, told the police that he had stopped on the emergency lane because he had a flat tire. He said he had put on his hazard lights and placed a warning triangle behind his vehicle. The police are investigating the cause of the accident and whether Gay was distracted or speeding at the time of the crash.
How did the rugby world react to Thomas Gay’s death?
The news of Gay’s death shocked and saddened the rugby world, especially in the Occitanie region, where he was well-known and respected. Many clubs, players, coaches, and fans paid tribute to him on social media, expressing their condolences and admiration for his passion and dedication to the sport.
Coq Léguevinois, the club where Gay worked as a coach, posted a heartfelt message on their Facebook page, saying:
“It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of Thomas Gay, our coach of the rugby school. Thomas was a great man, a great coach, a great friend, a great dad. He loved rugby and transmitted his passion to our young players with enthusiasm and kindness. He was always smiling, always positive, always ready to help. He was part of our family and he will be terribly missed. We send our deepest sympathy to his wife, his children, his parents, his brothers, and all his loved ones. Rest in peace, Thomas. You will always be in our hearts.”
The French Rugby Federation (FFR) also expressed their sorrow and solidarity with Gay’s family and club, tweeting:
“The FFR is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Thomas Gay, coach of Coq Léguevinois rugby school. The FFR extends its sincere condolences to his family, his friends, and his club. The rugby family is in mourning.”
Other clubs in the region, such as Stade Toulousain, Colomiers Rugby, and Blagnac Rugby, also posted messages of support and respect for Gay, calling him a “great rugby lover” and a “beautiful person”.
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Who was Thomas Gay?
Thomas Gay was born on April 15, 1991, in Toulouse. He started playing rugby at the age of 6, joining the club of Tournefeuille. He later played for L’Isle-en-Dodon and Coq Léguevinois, where he became a coach in 2016. He was also a physical education teacher at a high school in Toulouse.
Gay was married and had two children, a 4-year-old son and a 2-year-old daughter. He was described by his friends and colleagues as a cheerful, generous, and devoted man, who loved his family, his job, and his sport. He was passionate about rugby and had a great rapport with the young players he coached, inspiring them with his enthusiasm and kindness.
Gay’s funeral will take place on January 22, 2024, at the church of Léguevin, followed by a burial at the cemetery of the town. A minute of silence will be observed in his memory before all the rugby matches in the region this weekend.
