Welsh rugby league star Scott Bessant dies aged 37 with 'complications with pneumonia', three years after the horror accident that left him unable to walk

  • Former rugby league star Scott Bessant died on Thursday morning aged 37 
  • Bessant had been found seriously hurt near a bridge in Wales in August 2017 
  • The incident caused Bessant to sustain skull fractures and other serious injuries

Former rugby league star Scott Bessant has died at the age of 37 - almost three years after a horror incident that left him with life-changing injuries.  

Bessant, who was a father of two, passed away on Thursday morning after suffering from complications with pneumonia.  

The ex-Wales Dragonhearts full back had been found seriously hurt in August 2017 following a night spent drinking at a pub in Abersychan.

Former rugby league star Scott Bessant has died almost three years after a horror incident

Former rugby league star Scott Bessant has died almost three years after a horror incident

The incident caused Bessant to sustain several fractures to his skull, a fractured neck, broken ribs and a fractured pelvis. 


Bessant also suffered multiple strokes since the injuries, and was left unable to walk or talk.

He had been discovered by a passerby in the early hours of August 13 in Pentwyn Lane, near to the Little Crown pub. It remains a mystery how Bessant was hurt.

Bessant leaves behind parents Howard and Jackie, his son Cailan and daughter Eloise, sisters Rachael, Sian and Naomi, brothers Dwain and Gavin, nephews Ryan and Oliver, brother in law Neil and future brother in law Owain.  

Bessant, who was a father of two, had passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning

Bessant, who was a father of two, had passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning

A heartfelt tribute was published on the Wales Rugby League website. 

It read: 'For over 950 days, Scott's parents, Howard and Jackie, didn't miss a day in visiting their son, until everything went on lockdown. 

'Scott was due to eventually live with his sister Rachael, whose home was in the process of being adapted for his complex needs.

'There was an initial scare in April when it was thought Scott had contracted Covid-19 but last week, he went down with pneumonia and sadly lost his battle on the morning of Thursday 25th June.'  

His family were unable to visit him in hospital due to the coronavirus crisis.  

The 37-year-old was left with several injuries, such as a fractured skull, after a mystery incident

The 37-year-old was left with several injuries, such as a fractured skull, after a mystery incident

Bessant was left in a coma for more than 10 months after the incident, and underwent rehabilitation at Rookwood Hospital. 

He later left the hospital and was moved to a care facility.

In April, Bessant was taken to hospital with a chest infection and high temperature, but tested negative for coronavirus.  

Bessant had played rugby union before joining Pontypool in 2006, and earned his maiden Wales Dragonhearts rugby league cap two years later. 

He made six appearances in total for the amateur international team.

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