VIC: AFL coach loses teenage son in car crash

MELBOURNE’S Hawthorn Football Club is today mourning the loss of their assistant coach’s teenage son who was this morning killed in a single-vehicle car crash north-east of the city.

Cooper Ratten, 16, son of Hawks’ assistant coach Brett Ratten, was sitting in the back seat of a car that crashed and rolled on Glenview Road just after 3am on Sunday.

He was critically injured and died on the way to hospital.

A 17-year-old boy who was sitting in the front passenger seat suffered only minor injuries, while the 17-year-old driver was taken to Maroondah hospital and is now reportedly in police custody.

Hawthorn released a statement on behalf of the Ratten family today, confirming the devastating news.

“Hawthorn Football Club is deeply saddened to advise Brett Ratten’s son Cooper was involved in a car accident overnight that has claimed the 16-year-old’s life,” the statement said.

“The club asks that media respect Brett’s and the family’s privacy at this tragic time.”