Footballer loses fight for life
Tributes have flooded in for a teenager who died in hospital from injuries he sustained during a football match in regional Victoria.
Bacchus Marsh player Nathan Prince, 17, died in the palliative care unit of Ballarat Base Hospital early this morning with his family around him.
He was admitted to intensive care on August 20 after he was knocked unconscious during an Australian Rules qualifying final between Bacchus Marsh and North Ballarat City at Ballarat's Eastern Oval.
In a statement today, the family said: "The Prince family would like to thank everyone for all their prayers and messages of support during this time."
Tributes and messages of condolence are pouring into a special Facebook page called 'Nathan Prince - toughest footballer ever'.
Vicky Dale wrote: "To a young man a great tragedy has happened in our Bacchus Marsh community. It was with shock that we heard the news last week of your situation, at a time when you were doing what you loved, playing footy.
"We all prayed for your recovery and never for a second thought you wouldn't be well again and joining your classmates and friends.
"Sadly in shock we heard the bad news that you have passed away today and ask why this has happened.... a great loss to all that knew Nathan."
Leave your tributes for Nathan below.
