AFL great Brett Ratten has written a heartfelt tribute to his teenage son who died in a joy-ride tragedy.
Cooper Ratten, 16, died on his way to hospital after a stolen car in which he was a back-seat passenger was destroyed in the horrific accident east of Melbourne at 3am on Sunday.
Cooper was not wearing a seatbelt and was thrown 40m from the vehicle at Yarra Glen.
He was in the VW Tiguan with two Yarra Glen Football Club teammates. The 17-year-old driver was discharged from hospital last night, while the other boy was transferred from Box Hill Hospital to The Alfred.
Detectives were waiting to interview the driver, and confirmed they were examining alcohol and drugs as factors in the high-speed crash.
Cooper’s father — the Hawthorn assistant coach, 1995 Carlton premiership player and former Blues coach — placed the emotional tribute to his son in today’s Herald Sun.
“We love you so much and we will miss you forever. You will be with us every minute of every day,” the 255-game champion wrote.
“You had so much potential and ability in the things you set your mind to. You have been taken way too soon and we will miss your smile, your laugh and all your cheekiness.
“These memories will last forever. I wish I could kiss you, hug you and hold you tight. I love you, my son. We love you so much always and forever.”
The three teenagers were at a Yarra Glen footy function on Saturday night.
They left in a courtesy bus organised by the club and were dropped off at the home of one of the trio.
It was there that they are believed to have taken a set of car keys, possibly belonging to a parent, and driven away in foggy conditions.
They made it to Glenview Rd where, travelling in excess of 100km/h, the driver lost control.
Police later said it was a “miracle” there were two survivors.
Devastated friend Jasmine Williams posted a recent picture on Facebook.
“You look so happy… I love you Cooper, my boyfriend now my angel … forever,” she wrote.
“This world is so cruel.”
Mr Erickson, who had employed Cooper as a plumber, said the club held a “typical football club social function” on Saturday night.
“I worked the bar and I know there were no under-age people sold alcohol,” Mr Erickson said.
“They (the under-age players) know the drill — they don’t come and ask for it because they’ll be refused.”
Cooper, regarded as a talented backman, and his under-18 teammates beat Wandin on Saturday to secure a finals spot.
Specialist crash detectives from the police major collision unit were trying to establish exactly what happened in the hours preceding the smash.
The survivors and other witnesses were expected to be interviewed as officers conduct a painstaking recreation of the accident.
Detective Sgt David Yeoman said speed was an “obvious” factor and that there had been thick fog in the area.
The car was heading south when it failed to negotiate a sweeping left-hand bend and rolled, he said.
“Visibility was right down to minimal levels. There was some difficulty in finding all occupants of the vehicle,” Sgt Yeoman said.
“There was a pea-souper here last night.”
Sgt Yeoman said the teenage driver — who was too young to drive unaccompanied — should not have been behind the wheel.
“It’s an absolute miracle two of them got out of that car alive,” he said.
The Hawks and the Blues offered their condolences to Ratten.
Cooper, regarded as a talented backman, and his under-18 teammates beat Wandin on Saturday to secure a finals spot.
Specialist crash detectives from the police major collision unit were trying to establish exactly what happened in the hours preceding the smash.
The survivors and other witnesses were expected to be interviewed as officers conduct a painstaking recreation of the accident.
Detective Sgt David Yeoman said speed was an “obvious” factor and that there had been thick fog in the area.
The car was heading south when it failed to negotiate a sweeping left-hand bend and rolled, he said.
“Visibility was right down to minimal levels. There was some difficulty in finding all occupants of the vehicle,” Sgt Yeoman said.
“There was a pea-souper here last night.”
Sgt Yeoman said the teenage driver — who was too young to drive unaccompanied — should not have been behind the wheel.
“It’s an absolute miracle two of them got out of that car alive,” he said.
The Hawks and the Blues offered their condolences to Ratten.
