A rugby player has died while at a sports festival in the Isle of Man.

James Callender, 20, of Main Road, Dovercourt, fell from an upper window at the Modwena Hotel, Loch Promenade, Douglas.

Police said he landed on the footway and was treated at the scene by paramedics.

He was taken to Noble's Hospital on the island after the incident at 5pm on Friday, but died a short time later in the intensive care unit.

James, a first year chemistry student at De Montfort University, Leicester, was visiting the island as part of the Student Festival of Sport, in which 35 organisations took part.

Tourism and leisure minister for the Isle of Man David Cretney said: "I attended a meeting of students from De Montfort University, offered our consolation and any assistance."

A minute's silence was observed at sporting events in the area.

And a minute's silence was held on Saturday at Harwich and Dovercourt Rugby Club where James was a member on Saturday. The flag was also lowered to half-mast in his memory.

Floral tributes have been placed outside the hotel. Some of James's fellow students returned home on Saturday, too devastated to continue with the sports festival.

A number of the team from the university carried on in their sports as requested by those closest involved.

Police are not treating James's death as suspicious. A post mortem examination was due to take place today.

The Isle of Man coroner has been informed and an inquest will be held.

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