An Australian teenager has died after he was hit by a cricket ball during a practice session in Melbourne. Ben Austin, 17, was training - with a helmet but no neck guard - in cricket nets in Ferntree Gully on Tuesday when he was hit in the neck by a ball thrown using a handheld ball launcher. Emergency workers attended the scene around 17:00 local time (06:00 GMT) before Ben was rushed to hospital in critical condition. He was put on life support but died on Thursday.
Ben's dad Jace Austin said the family was utterly devastated by the death of our beautiful Ben while Cricket Victoria said the cricketing community across the country would be mourning the teenager's death.
In a statement, Jace Austin shared details of his family's loss. For Tracey and I, Ben was an adored son, deeply loved brother to Cooper and Zach and a shining light in the lives of our family and friends, he said. This tragedy has taken Ben from us, but we find some comfort that he was doing something he did for so many summers - going down to the nets with mates to play cricket. He loved cricket and it was one of the joys of his life.
Mr Austin said the family was also supporting Ben's teammate who was bowling in the nets when the accident happened. This accident has impacted two young men and our thoughts are with he and his family as well, he said. He also thanked the local cricketing community for their support since the accident and praised the first responders and medical staff who helped his son.
Cricket Victoria chief executive officer Nick Cummins said it was an extremely challenging time for all involved, comparing the incident to the tragic death of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes in 2014.
The ball that hit Ben was launched by a thrower using a handheld device, aimed at accelerating ball speed and reducing shoulder strain from traditional bowling. Cummins stated, The entire cricketing community in Victoria - and nationally - is mourning this loss and it will be something that will stay with us for a long time.
Describing Ben as a talented player and well-liked captain in under-18 circles, Cummins emphasized the heartbreaking nature of losing someone so young while participating in a sport he loved.
Ben played for the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club, who have called for friends and supporters to put your bats out for Benny in his memory. The Waverley Park Hawks Junior Football Club, where Ben also played, expressed their condolences, remembering him as a kind and respectful individual who was becoming a fine young adult.
Ben's dad Jace Austin said the family was utterly devastated by the death of our beautiful Ben while Cricket Victoria said the cricketing community across the country would be mourning the teenager's death.
In a statement, Jace Austin shared details of his family's loss. For Tracey and I, Ben was an adored son, deeply loved brother to Cooper and Zach and a shining light in the lives of our family and friends, he said. This tragedy has taken Ben from us, but we find some comfort that he was doing something he did for so many summers - going down to the nets with mates to play cricket. He loved cricket and it was one of the joys of his life.
Mr Austin said the family was also supporting Ben's teammate who was bowling in the nets when the accident happened. This accident has impacted two young men and our thoughts are with he and his family as well, he said. He also thanked the local cricketing community for their support since the accident and praised the first responders and medical staff who helped his son.
Cricket Victoria chief executive officer Nick Cummins said it was an extremely challenging time for all involved, comparing the incident to the tragic death of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes in 2014.
The ball that hit Ben was launched by a thrower using a handheld device, aimed at accelerating ball speed and reducing shoulder strain from traditional bowling. Cummins stated, The entire cricketing community in Victoria - and nationally - is mourning this loss and it will be something that will stay with us for a long time.
Describing Ben as a talented player and well-liked captain in under-18 circles, Cummins emphasized the heartbreaking nature of losing someone so young while participating in a sport he loved.
Ben played for the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club, who have called for friends and supporters to put your bats out for Benny in his memory. The Waverley Park Hawks Junior Football Club, where Ben also played, expressed their condolences, remembering him as a kind and respectful individual who was becoming a fine young adult.
