By KATH GANNAWAY
EMERALD Football Netball Club is coming to grips today with the tragedy of yesterday’s triple-fatality at Pound Road in Avonsleigh.
Three teenagers were killed and another was taken by air-ambulance to hospital after their car hit a tree, about 5.30pm.
The names of those killed in the crash have not been released but the Mail understands that they were an under-18 footballer, a young netball player and her friend.
The other young player, Jake Mitchell, remains in hospital.
Jake’s Facebook page has been inundated with messages of sadness and support.
It’s clear that many of those urging Jake to ‘hang in there’ are also grieving for lost mutual friends.
Emerald Football Netball Club president Bruce Rush spoke briefly to the Mail this morning as the club rallied around the families and the players affected.
He said the news last night had come as an enormous shock to everyone.
“We really have not come to grips with it all,” he said.
“We’re just trying to do all we can with the help of the league and the council to get some counsellors up to talk to the players and their friends.”
He said the families of the club members were all heavily involved with the club and the kids were all well-liked.
The footballer who died in the crash had also previously played for Gembrook
“This is a terrible shock, and it will go through both clubs,” Mr Rush said.
