Wellington: Rugby great Jonah Lomu probably died from a blood clot that formed during a long-haul flight to New Zealand, one of his medics said yesterday, as plans were unveiled to honour the legendary winger with a public memorial.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2015/nov/24jonah.jpg" alt="" /> Jonah Lomu
Former All Blacks doctor John Mayhew, who helped treat Lomu&rsquo;s chronic kidney disease, said a flight-related clot was the most likely explanation for his shock death in Auckland last week aged just 40. Mayhew, a close family friend who announced the star&rsquo;s death to the world, said Lomu&rsquo;s kidney disease made him vulnerable to such a scenario. The player had just returned to Auckland after seeing his beloved All Blacks win the Rugby World Cup in Britain, a marathon flight, even with a stopover in Dubai.
&ldquo;He returned from the UK via Dubai and appeared to be in good health before he died. We think the most likely cause was a clot on the lung which can be a complication of long distance travel. Jonah was at great risk of that happening because of his renal condition,&rdquo; Mayhew told the BBC. He said Lomu, an electrifying talent, who became the game&rsquo;s first global superstar, would not have known what hit him.
&ldquo;I think it was instantaneous. He was unaware of what had happened. It&rsquo;s just one of those tragic complications that can occur in people with chronic renal conditions,&rdquo; he said. The US Center for Disease Control advises on its website that long-distance air travel can increase the risk of venous thromboembolism (a blood clot in the vein) by two-to-four times, more if there are pre-existing conditions.
Many airlines advise passengers to walk around the flight cabin or wear compression stockings to help prevent clots forming.

Rugby great Jonah Lomu probably died from a blood clot that formed during a long-haul flight to New Zealand, one of his medics said yesterday, as plans were unveiled to honour the legendary winger with a public memorial

Blood clot on flight may have killed Kiwi rugby great Jonah Lomu

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Home / Sports / Other Sports / Article / Blood clot on flight may have killed Kiwi rugby great Jonah Lomu

Blood clot on flight may have killed Kiwi rugby great Jonah Lomu

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