Former rugby league player Kath Wharton tragically passed away from a sudden cardiac arrest while resting in her vehicle at a McDonald’s car park in Auckland. The incident occurred on November 21, 2022, after Wharton had returned from a rugby tournament in Japan. She was 41 years old and a mother of four.
Wharton, who also played for the Kiwi Ferns, was found unresponsive by her husband, Andrew Wharton, during a routine check after she failed to respond to messages. Emergency services pronounced her dead at the scene after attempts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful. According to Associate Coroner Hannah Cheeseman, the cause of death was confirmed as cardiac arrest, with no suspicious circumstances prompting any further inquiries.
The post-mortem examination, conducted by Dr. Kilak Kesha, indicated that Wharton had contracted Covid-19 at the time of her death. The virus may have contributed to her cardiac arrest, particularly when combined with the stress of a long-haul flight and associated jet lag. The Cardiac Inherited Disease Group suggested that Covid-19 could potentially “unmask” pre-existing cardiac issues.
Details Surrounding Wharton’s Final Moments
The circumstances of Wharton’s death are particularly poignant. She had been travelling home after the tournament with her husband and daughter but took a different flight due to a teammate’s child losing their passport. Wharton’s flight landed in Auckland earlier than the others, and she opted to rest in the car park before picking up her husband from the airport.
At approximately 12:10 p.m., Wharton messaged her husband to inform him that she had parked at the McDonald’s and planned to take a nap. When she did not arrive to pick him up or reply to his messages, Andrew Wharton became concerned and drove to the McDonald’s, where he discovered her unresponsive in the vehicle. She was declared dead at 14:43 p.m.
Andrew expressed profound grief following the loss of his wife, stating, “Words cannot express the grief we feel at the loss of my darling Kath. She touched so many lives and worked tirelessly for our people, for our tamariki.”
A Legacy in Rugby League
Wharton’s impact on rugby league extended beyond her playing career. She represented the Kiwi Ferns in 14 international tests, making her debut during the 2008 World Cup, where New Zealand triumphed over Australia in the final. Although she took a six-year hiatus from the sport after the 2013 World Cup, she made a comeback at the age of 35 with the Warriors during the second season of the NRLW, contributing to a rapidly growing league.
In addition to her achievements on the field, Wharton remained active in rugby league as an ambassador for health and well-being initiatives, working with Healthy Families NZ. Her dedication to the sport and community has left a lasting legacy, with many remembering her as a beloved figure within the rugby league family.
