A promising young cricketer struck in the head with a ball during a pre-match training session has died in hospital.
Ben Austin, 17, was rushed to hospital in a critical condition following the incident at Walley Tew Reserve in Ferntree Gully in Melbourne’s south-east on Tuesday afternoon.
He was placed on life support but died in hospital on Wednesday, his club confirmed.
‘Ferntree Gully Cricket Club wishes to advise of the tragic passing of our player, Ben Austin,’ a post read.
‘We are absolutely devastated by the passing of Ben, and the impacts of his death will be felt by all in our cricket community.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with his family – Jace, Tracey, Cooper and Zach, his extended family, his friends and to all of those who knew Ben and the joy that he brought.’
Ben’s parents thanked Ambulance Victoria, police, the Monash Children’s Hospital and witnesses who rushed to the teen’s aid on Tuesday.
He was a talented cricketer who played at representative level for the local district.
Promising cricketer Ben Austin has died in hospital after he was struck by a ball while preparing for a T20 match
Ben was training in the nets for a senior T20 match between Ferntree Gully and Eildon Park at Wally Tew Reserve on Tuesday afternoon when tragedy struck
‘All of our thoughts, prayers and love are with Ben’s family at a time of unimaginable grief,’ Ferntree Gully and District Cricket Association President Arnie Walters said.
‘Ben – who was both talented and popular in local cricket – is an enormous loss to our local community.’
“I know how heavily this news will land across our community and we will provide any and all support we can to our clubs and cricket family.’
Ben was training in the nets before a T20 match against Eildon Park when the tragedy unfolded.
It’s understood he was wearing a helmet at the time.
Several players rushed to Ben’s aid as specialist paramedics worked frantically to stabilise the critically-injured teen.
‘Someone ran and grabbed a defib and an ambulance was there within maybe five or six minutes,’ a witness told the Herald Sun.
Specialist paramedics worked frantically to stabilise the critically-injured teen at the scene before he was rushed to Monash Medical Centre
‘Then there was fire brigade and police flying in left, right and centre.’
The match was part of a T20 tournament organised by the Ringwood and District Cricket Association and was later abandoned.
More to come.
