A cricket ball struck an Australian teenager during a Melbourne practice session, killing the teenager.
When a ball from an automatic bowling machine struck Ben Austin, 17, in the head or neck while he was practicing cricket nets in Ferntree Gully on Tuesday. He is thought to be wearing a helmet.
The boy was taken to Monash Children’s Hospital in critical condition shortly before 17:00 local time (06:00 GMT). He was placed on life support, but he passed away on Wednesday.
Arnie Walters, president of the Ferntree Gully and District Cricket Association, described Ben as “both talented and well-liked in his neighborhood cricket.”
“I am aware of how widely spread this news is in our community,” he said, adding that we will give our clubs and cricket family the utmost support.
Ben’s cricket club extended condolences to his family, friends, and “to all of those who knew Ben and the joy that he brought” in a social media post.
We ask that you kindly protect Ben’s family’s privacy during this difficult time, according to the post.
The club also expressed gratitude to Ambulance Victoria, the police, and the hospital staff on behalf of the teen’s family.
For comment, Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria have been contacted by the BBC.
Phillip Hughes, an Australian cricketer, passed away after being struck on the neck by a ball while batting for the Sheffield Shield in 2014, just over ten years later.
Source: BBC
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