Rugby player 'half an inch' from death after being stabbed 10 times on night out
A rugby player narrowly escaped death after being stabbed 10 times during a night out with his girlfriend. Morgan Hopkins, a 19 year old from Swansea, is currently in hospital recuperating from a gruelling 10.5-hour operation following the horrific incident.
Known as "Hoppy" among his friends and Morriston RFC teammates, Morgan was assaulted while waiting for a taxi after a night out in Gorseinon on Saturday with his girlfriend.
His family revealed that he was stabbed approximately 10 times, with one of the wounds perilously close to causing fatal bleeding, according to his surgeon's estimation.
The attack has left Morgan with serious, life-altering injuries. He underwent extensive surgery where doctors had to remove part of his bowel and stitch his tendons back together.
Victoria Owens Hopkins, Morgan's mother, referred to June 22 as "the worst day of [her] life.", reports Wales Online.
She said: "In the early hours of Sunday morning my son and his girlfriend were sitting on a bench waiting for a lift home when Morgan was attacked with a knife.
"He was stabbed 10 times. At first we thought they were superficial so we were all very relaxed.
"But that turned into 10.5 hours of Morgan having major surgery, where he had part of his bowel removed. He has had to have nerves and tendons sewn back in his arms."
Doctors told Morgan's family that if one of his wounds was half and inch in the other direction, Morgan would have bled to death.
Victoria said: "Half an inch saved his life. So in all this we consider ourselves very lucky."
The family have confirmed that Morgan's surgeon said it will be a week before they know if the operation was successful, though Morgan has now been moved from intensive care and is in a stable condition.
South Wales Police arrested and charged a 20-year-old man for attempted murder and being in possession of a bladed article following the alleged attack. Officers are now appealing for witnesses.
A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: "An investigation is ongoing in relation to a serious assault which occurred during the early hours of the morning on Sunday June 22, 2025, at The New Lodge Social Club, Alexandra Road, Gorseinon.
"The victim remains in hospital in a stable condition.
"Twenty-year-old Kane Evans from Gorseinon has been arrested and charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article.
Morgan's rugby team, Morriston RFC, have set up a fundraiser to help cover medical costs, so that he can access private rehabilitation services upon his release from hospital, and not worry about returning to work.
A spokesperson for the rugby club said: "Not only does Morgan have physical wounds from this attack, but he will suffer from psychological trauma for years to come.
"The purpose of this GoFundMe page is to raise money for Morgan as he's going to be out of work for some time.
"We'd also like to raise some money for Morgan to be able to have some private sessions for physical and mental rehabilitation should he wish to have this.
"Our thoughts go out to Morgan and his family during this difficult time and wish him a speedy recovery. See you on the rugby pitch again soon Hoppy."
The club's fundraiser for Morgan has raised over £3,000 in less than 24 hours. To donate you can click here, or visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/raise-funds-for-morgan-hoppy-hopkins.
South Wales Police have appealed to anyone who witnessed the incident to contact the force quoting reference 2500197011.
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