Breaking: Port Adelaide have confirmed tragic news reports that AFL player John McCarthy has died while on an end-of-season holiday, releasing a statement early Monday afternoon.
At around 5pm, Port Adelaide confirmed the player was John McCarthy, a 22-year old emerging footballer, with 39 games player for Port Adelaide and Collingwood FC in the AFL.
Full statement from Port Adelaide FC:
It is with great sadness that the Port Adelaide Football Club today confirms the tragic death of player John McCarthy.
John, 22, was holidaying in the United States with 10 team mates. The club was informed by US authorities in Las Vegas this morning that John had died as a result of injuries sustained in a fall from a building. The circumstances of the tragedy are still being investigated.
Port Adelaide extends its deepest sympathies to John’s family, girlfriend and team mates, and is providing whatever support necessary to help them through this tragedy.
The other players in the travelling party are Travis Boak, Matthew Broadbent, Alipate Carlile, Brett Ebert, Hamish Hartlett, Tom Logan, Andrew Moore, Paul Stewart, Jackson Trengove and Justin Westhoff.
These players are all safe and accounted for and arrangements are being made for them to return to Australia.
Port Adelaide general manager (football) Peter Rohde is travelling to Las Vegas to provide support for the players and to work with the US authorities and Australian consular officials.
John McCarthy played 21 games in his debut season with Port Adelaide this year after joining the club from Collingwood in the pre-season draft last year. He was drafted by Collingwood in 2007, having played 18 games for the Magpies from 2008-2011.
Port Adelaide chief executive officer Keith Thomas said the death was an enormous shock and a terrible tragedy for John’s family, partner and friends as well as for the club and the wider Port Adelaide community.
“John embraced Port Adelaide and we embraced him, and we are deeply shocked and saddened by his passing,” Thomas said.
“He was a very popular player among his team mates and our supporters. John played 21 of 22 games this season for Port Adelaide and was a valued member of our team who quickly won the respect and friendship of us all.
“He will be greatly missed by everyone at Port Adelaide and we extend our sympathies to his parents Shane and Cath, his brother Matt, sisters Frances, Elizabeth and Jane, his girlfriend Dani and his extended family and network of friends.”
The Port Adelaide Football Club is unable to comment further on the circumstances around John’s death while an investigation is underway.
We request that the media respect the privacy of John’s family, friends, team mates and club staff as they grieve during this difficult period.
The Roar extends it’s condolences to John’s family, friends and the Port Adelaide club in the wake of this tragic event.
Jones
Guest
I feel awful!
Andy
Guest
Vale John McCarthy taken to soon.Condolences to those that loved him.
Brewski
Guest
Not good, wish the best for his family at this time.
Richo
Guest
The player has now been named.
Australian Rules
Guest
Just awful news - thoughts to the player's family and friends.
NF
Guest
Condolences to the players, family, and team mates. It put into perspective that sport is trivial and is minor in the world are there is more important things in life.
Matt F
Roar Guru
Very true Brett. We all despair when our respective team/s lose but this really puts into perspective how trivial the weekends sport results are in the grand scheme of things
Matt
Guest
From what I've read, fell from a balcony. I'm sure the full story will come in due time.
Brett McKay
Expert
very happy to see this thread has not gone down the path of others. Indeed, no names until Port Adelaide have informed everyone who needs to be informed. This truly is a tragic sporting story. Perhaps this might be the catalyst for us to re-think our descriptions of events that by comparison are actually quite trivial..
Redb
Roar Guru
The family has not been informed, no names please.
planko
Guest
Good luck to all and hopefully there is help available for all those that need it. My heart sinks when you hear things like this.
Dingo
Guest
Terrible news. Condolences to the players family and team mates.
Matt F
Roar Guru
Horrible news. SMH reporting the player fell from a balcony. Awful.....