A Welsh rugby club has paid tribute to a 37-year-old woman who choked to death after eating marshmallows at a fundraising event.
Natalie Buss collapsed and died on Saturday night at the event at Beddau RFC in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
The club paid tribute to a “wonderful wife, mother and daughter” in a statement saying they had “lost a very dear friend”.
Posting on Facebook, Beddau RFC said: “The club and the Beddau community are heartbroken. On Saturday night we lost a very dear friend who will be sadly missed.
“Everybody associated with Beddau RFC and within the community are nothing less than devastated at the weekend’s tragic accident and we struggle to comprehend the sense of loss people are feeling.”
“This said, we must acknowledge that our loss pales into insignificance in comparison to the loss of a lady who was a wonderful wife, mother and daughter to what was an absolutely tragic turn of events.
“As a club we send out our sincerest, heartfelt condolences to all the family, the close friends and to all those that this has so badly impacted – you are all in our thoughts today.”
The local MP, Alex Davies-Jones, said she was “really sad to read this awful news”.
“My heart goes out to all those affected and my thoughts are with their family and friends,” added the Pontypridd MP.
It is thought the woman died during a bingo fundraiser for the club’s under-10s side at the weekend. South Wales police said it was investigating.
A south Wales police spokesperson said: “A 37-year-old woman collapsed and died at Beddau RFC. The coroner has been informed and inquiries into the circumstances of the death are continuing.”
A Welsh ambulance service spokesperson said the service was called to a “medical emergency” at the club at 10.10pm on Saturday 7 October.
Rhondda Cynon Taf council said it had also opened an investigation in its capacity as the health and safety regulator and licensing authority.
A spokesperson said: “Our condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased.”