Liam Hampson truth emerges after tragic death: 'Beyond appalled'
Chilling new details have emerged around the tragic death of Aussie league player Liam Hampson, and how he fell to his death while holidaying with friends in Barcelona.
Hampson - who played for Queensland side the Redcliffe Dolphins - was staying in the Spanish city with a travelling party that included Brisbane duo Jordan Riki and Jesse Arthars, as well as Gold Coast fullback AJ Brimson.
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The 24-year-old had not been seen for 30 hours when his friends launched a desperate plea to help find the young star, who's body was eventually discovered on a floor at the Sala Apolo nightclub.
Spanish authorities say Hampson died after falling from a height of 10 metres onto a patio at the club which was not not accessible for the public.
It's been revealed that the body of Queensland rugby league player Liam Hampson was found inside a patio that was closed off to patrons as his family now prepares to return his body home. #Sunriseon7
📍 DETAILS: https://t.co/Wt6eUhhBEq pic.twitter.com/SR6F1xDbhb— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) October 20, 2022
Details have now emerged about how Hampson came to fall to his death, with the director of the Sala Apolo nightclub revealing that CCTV captured his harrowing final moments.
Albert Guijarro told local media that Hampson had inadvertently exited through an emergency door at the club, with footage showing one of his friends trying to stop him.
“From the great room, he leaves through one of the doors and Liam leaves through the emergency door in front of him," Mr Guijarro told Spanish radio program Versió RAC1.
“He hesitates, he is indecisive, he goes to close it because a colleague says something, but continues.
“He goes through another emergency door and goes out to a very large terrace that Apolo has.
“There he goes to urinate, and once he’s done, he realises that all the doors he came out of can’t be opened from the outside.
“Without thinking about it, he jumps a 1.5 metre wall.”
It's understood Hampson died falling through a 10-metre gap that ducts pass through, onto another patio below.
It explains why the body of the promising young star was not discovered by staff for several hours, according to Regional Mossos d‘Esquadra police officers.
Staff who made the grim discovery some hours after the tragic fatality, were understandably rocked by the horrific scene.
“It was in an internal patio which was not part of the public area of the nightclub,” Spanish police told Daily Mail Australia.
“I don’t know how he would have got into that part of the building but he accessed it and from there fell around 10 metres to an interior patio.
“The fact it wasn’t a public area helps to explain why the workers who raised the alarm didn’t do so until Wednesday lunchtime local time.”
“These are sad and very painful moments. First of all for all the people who are affected by the unforeseeable accident that occurred in the early hours of Tuesday 18th October in the outdoor area of Apolo venue,” the club said in a statement.
“It’s been sad as well for those of us who are part of the organisation.
“The management and the entire Apolo team are beyond appalled by what happened and we express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Liam Hampson."
Liam Hampson tragedy rocks family and friends
Hampson's tragic death has rocked the rugby league community with heartbreaking tributes pouring in for the fallen star.
Broncos star Riki took to Instagram after the devastating news on Thursday and poured his heart out after losing his good friend.
“I love you my brother you beautiful soul, I’m so sorry,” Riki wrote on Instagram.
“Can’t put into words how I’m feeling. Love you bro. I’m so sorry.
“Please know I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has helped to find our boy words can’t express how grateful I am for you guys,”
“Everyone who reached out and posted on your socials and asked for your family/friends to help thank you so much ... RIP my beautiful brother.”
The Broncos star also started a GoFundMe page on behalf of Hampson's family, to help cover funeral costs and to fly the 24-year-old home.
The page has already raised more than $70,000 after an initial target of $50,000.
It comes after a chilling final photo of Hampson emerged from the Sala Apolo nightclub, in the hours before his tragic death.
Hampson could be seen smiling in the background of the photo, which showed Riki kissing a woman on the cheek.
The 24-year-old had been on holidays with his friends, who have all been left devastated by the tragic accident.
On Thursday morning, Hampson’s sister Tiarna also shared a heartbreaking Instagram post about receiving the “saddest news possible”.
“We are devastated to find out Liam had an accident and did not survive,” Tiarna wrote.
“We are so heartbroken. Liam was the best brother I ever could of asked for and made me a better person.
“We cannot express our grief.
“We cannot thank the boys he was travelling with enough for assisting with his search and made sure his last days were the best of his life. Going to miss you so much, Liam.”
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga confirmed his Australia side will wear black armbands in honour of Hampson, during their Rugby League World Cup match against Scotland on Saturday morning (AEST).
Meninga also paid tribute to Hampson's heartbroken family and friends and said the Kangaroos "will be playing for the Hampson family" in their next match.
with agencies
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