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Two men killed while riding on top of a freight train indulged in the wilder side of life, but their reasons for getting on the train may never be known.
The deaths of Cole Higginson, 25, son of former All Black Graeme Higginson, and Nick Upritchard, 23, have shocked their North Canterbury community, and the Glenmark rugby club, where the pair played in the same Division Two team.
The team will pause for a moment's silence today before playing in honour of the pair.
The friends, who had a history of drug use and thrill-seeking, appear to have hitched a ride on the freight train about 50km from Waipara to Christchurch.
Both were apparently struck and killed as the train passed under a footbridge in the Christchurch suburb of Bryndwr.
"This footbridge is not lit at night and someone travelling on the top of a railway carriage would probably not notice it," said Detective Senior Sergeant John Rae. "The clearance between the underside of the footbridge and the top of a carriage is just less than 50cm."
The men's bodies were discovered by rail workers unloading the freight carriage about 3am on Thursday.
Mr Upritchard had recently lost his driver's licence, and the Weekend Herald understands he or Mr Higginson may have ridden on top of a train before.
The Glenmark rugby club _ which has produced All Blacks such as Alex "Grizz" Wyllie, Robbie Deans, Richard Loe and Todd Blackadder _ said no thought had been given to abandoning today's match after the two death deaths.
"We are carrying on. They wouldn't want us to stop," said Glenmark club president Leighton Croft.
The club had provided new direction for Mr Higginson after a troubled period in his life marked by crime and problems with drugs and alcohol.
He had been tipped by many for higher honours because of his abilities at lock.
The Higginson family declined to speak to the Weekend Herald yesterday.
Mr Upritchard's uncle, Evan Upritchard, described him as "being a pretty wild boy in his lifestyle".
Nick Upritchard worked as a drainlayer but "he would work for a week or 10 days and got a good pay packet and then he would be out playing until he used it up".
"He was good to deal with when he was sober and drug-free. The rugby club was a good outlet for them to burn up their energy."
All three divisions of the Glenmark club gathered on Thursday night at training to reflect on the lives of the pair.
"They obviously enjoyed life to the fullest, and they were obviously seeking a few thrills and it finally caught up on them," club president Leighton Croft said. "It's just a tragedy really."
A post-mortem examination was carried out on Mr Upritchard yesterday, and police are talking to Mr Higginson's family about a similar examination.