THE Camelford Rugby Club community is in a state of shock following the passing of founding member and club president Nic Osborne last Monday.
Nic, 60, was instrumental in helping launch ‘the Ford’ back in 2008 and earlier this year was a key part in the club celebrating their tenth anniversary season.
However Nic’s life was cruelly taken away from him last Monday afternoon (July 1) during a lawnmower accident at Trethevy near Tintagel.
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police, said: “Police were called to attend Trethevy near Tintagel at around 4.45pm on Monday, July 1 by the ambulance service.
“Units attended and found that a 60-year-old man from the Launceston area had been involved in an accident with an industrial mower.
“He was pronounced deceased at the scene and his next of kin have been informed.
“The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authority have been made aware of this incident.
“His death is not being treated as suspicious and enquiries continue on behalf of the coroner.”
Nic also sat on the Cornwall RFU’s county youth and education committee and on youth discipline.
Martin Baker from Camelford RFC said: “Camelford RFC and the rugby community lost a true titan of the game. Nic was an inspirational man who helped to build a fledgling idea of a rugby club for Camelford into a ten-year-old rugby club.
“His fun, loving and driven personality made him a much-loved member of the club and he will be hugely missed by all who were involved with him.
“From us at Camelford RFC and his first club Kings Norton RFC our thoughts and condolences go out to his family at the most difficult of times.”
Cornwall RFU chairman Dave Saunter said: “Nic was a quality guy and will be sadly missed by his wife Alison and family and the rugby community in Cornwall. He sat on a couple of committees with me and was always keen to help and give his time.
“He was one of the driving forces behind Camelford RFC and their continued growth. Our thoughts go out to his wife and family at this very sad time.”
Several people left heartfelt tributes to the club stalwart after the post was shared on Facebook.
Gary Vaughan, chairman of the Cornwall Rugby Referees Society, said: “Very sad to read this, met Nic many times, a rugby man who worked so hard for Camelford and grassroots rugby.”
Denis Preece, Cornwall RFU chairman, added: “This is so sad, Nic was a true grassroots rugby man.”
On Saturday, some members of the club met at Camelford Conservative Club for a few drinks in memory of Nic.