Ex-union president dies of a suspected heart attack
KINGSTON, Jamaica -- Former Irish Cricket Union president Robert Kerr died of a suspected heart attack Wednesday, the second fatality in four days at the World Cup.
Irish assistant coach Matt Dwyer told The Associated Press the 68-year-old Kerr died "from what we believe was a heart attack."
"He was with his wife on holidays and spent time with the fans," Dwyer said. "We last spoke to him after the Pakistan match and he was in good spirits. He wasn't in ill health."
Kerr's death follows that of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer, who was found unconscious on the floor of his hotel room in Kingston and died later Sunday in a hospital. Jamaica's deputy police commissioner Mark Shields said Woolmer's death was being treated as suspicious. Ireland beat Pakistan on Saturday in one of the biggest upsets in cricket history.
Dwyer said Kerr's wife called hotel staff in the middle of the night and he died on the way to the hospital. Ireland coach Adrian Birrell said Kerr died about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday. The coach had been staying at Jamaica Sunset Grand hotel in Ocho Rios along with a large group of Irish fans the past week.
"He had a very big part in Irish cricket over the last six or seven years," Birrell said.
Kerr was president of the national cricket association in 2004 and a former chairman. He was an executive board member of the ICU and chairman of the North West Cricket Union.
Joe Doherty, a former ICU chairman, cited Kerr's "outstanding service" to all levels of the sport.
"His sudden passing will leave a big void in Irish cricket," he said.
A 10-man forensics team was working Wednesday in the 12th-floor hotel room where the 58-year-old Woolmer was staying, though authorities have said nothing points to homicide.
Ireland, making its debut at the World Cup, still has a chance to qualify for the second round. Ireland's last Group D match is Friday against West Indies.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
