Sports Gear
An Australian young sportsman has tragically died after being hit by a cricket delivery during a training drill in the Australian city.
The 17-year-old athlete was practicing in cricket cages in the Melbourne suburb on Tuesday when he was struck in the head or neck by a delivery from an automatic bowling machine. It's believed he was wearing a protective headgear at the moment of the incident.
Emergency services were dispatched to the location shortly before 5 PM local time and the teenager was transported to Monash Children's Hospital in critical condition. He was placed on life support but died on Wednesday.
The teenager's community sports organization expressed they were "completely heartbroken" by the "tragic passing" of one of their players and that the youngster's death "will be felt by everyone in our cricket community".
"I know how heavily this news will impact across our community and we will provide any and all assistance we can to our clubs and sports community," stated the local cricket association president.
In a online statement, the young man's sports team extended their condolences to his family and close companions and "to all of those who knew him and the happiness that he provided".
"We request you to please respect the personal space of the family during this challenging period," the message added.
This tragedy occurs just over a decade after another national player passed away after being struck on the neck by a ball while batting in a domestic competition.
That earlier death, for which investigators ultimately found no fault could be assigned, catalyzed enhancements to protective gear for those playing the sport.
The sports community continues to stress the critical nature of proper safety equipment and awareness during practice drills and official games.
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