Inquest opens into hotel fall

Rhydian Phillips was married with two young children

An inquest has opened into the death of a police officer, who fell from a New York hotel window while on a rugby trip.

Detective Constable Rhydian Phillips, 31, from Pencoed, near Bridgend, died on Thursday after falling from the window of his hotel room on the 22nd floor in what police believe was a tragic accident.

Mr Phillips was on tour with the South Wales Police XV and had arrived in New York the previous day.

Police in New York believe Dc Phillips lost his balance and fell to his death. Dc Phillips, from Pencoed, South Wales, leaves a widow Justine and their children Dylan, six, and Carys, four.

Glamorgan and South Wales Valleys Coroner Phillip Walters opened and adjourned the inquest in a hearing at Aberdare.

Coroner's officer Stuart Griffiths said: "The inquest has been adjourned until we receive reports from the New York Police."

I'm devastated to lose a friend like that Friend and former teammate Scott Gibbs

The match against a New York select XV at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx went ahead on Sunday as planned, and was played as a tribute to Mr Phillips, whose body was flown home on Saturday.

The money raised will be given to the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund, set up following the World Trade Centre attack.

Mr Phillips had played for Pencoed RFC until the end of last season, when he left to play for South Wales Police.

The team had flown out to play in the inaugural Eric Liddell Memorial Cup at the end of the first British-American Charity Rugby Festival.

Wales rugby star Scott Gibbs was a close friend of Mr Phillips from childhood, and both had played at centre for Pencoed RFC's youth sides.

"I'm devastated to lose a friend like that," said Gibbs.

The former Wales, Swansea and British Lions centre visited Mr Phillips' widow Justine and their children Dylan, six, and Carys, four, at their home on Friday.

"It's tragic news. I'd known Rhydian for a long time, I just can't believe it."

He had spent one night at the Milford Plaza hotel in Times Square when he died.

The New York Police Department said there were no suspicious circumstances and described it as a tragic accident.