Leading rugby referee Nigel Owens has opened up about his suicide attempt in an interview in New Zealand.
The Welshman will referee the upcoming Blesidoe Cup match New Zealand and Australia, and speaking to 3 News, he discussed how difficult it was to come out as gay in 2007 and deal with some of the abuse and heckling that was directed his way in the aftermath.
"I was in a state of getting depressed over the years because of dealing with it and I left a note for my mum and dad and said I wasn't able to carry on with my life anymore," said Owens, who will officiate at the upcoming Rugby World Cup, including Ireland's crucial pool fixture against France.
"If I hadn't been found by the rescue helicopter and taken to the local hospital - you know another 20 minutes and I would have been dead and gone because I had attempted suicide.
"That was the wake up call. When I woke up in hospital after a few days in intensive care and your mom tells you that you're their only child and that if you do anything like that and you take me and your dad with you, and I released I better grow up here."
You can watch the full video interview right here.
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