Talented’ Exonian Ladies player Lily Partridge, who carried two organ donor cards, had history of concussion

A talented female rugby player has died after suffering a head injury during a training session for her county squad.

Lily Partridge, 23, a zookeeper and teaching assistant, described as a “brilliant star” by her family, sustained the injury during the session in Devon and collapsed on the side of the pitch.

She was airlifted to hospital but her life-support machine was turned off approximately 24 hours later at the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital.

Her parents, Jeff and Liz, and her younger sister, Lauren, said Partridge carried two donor cards and her organs had been donated to help others.

They said: “Hopefully one, two, three or more people will have a better quality of life, thanks to Lily. She has given this gift of life to several people, which is the best present ever, especially at this time of year. She has given all her life, and still gave even after her death.

“That was Lily all over, selfless. She picked up her first donor card when she was a pupil at Torquay girls’ grammar school and then another one at the Devon county show. She crammed so much into her 23 years. We are so proud of everything she did.