AN AUSTRALIAN rugby league prodigy has tragically been killed in a road accident.
Benjamin Hunter, 16, was struck by a vehicle shortly before midnight while walking home from a late-night gym session on Sunday.
Emergency services were called to the scene, just outside Nambour in south-east Queensland, and found the ace in a critical condition.
But, despite being rushed to Nambour Hospital, he passed away en route in the ambulance.
The Forensic Crash Unit is now investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident and urged any witnesses or anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage who was in the area to contact them.
Hunter was a student at Caloundra State High School and a member of the Melbourne Storm junior academy and played in the Langer Trophy rugby league competition.
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Hunter was a huge Brisbane Broncos supporter and he had already shown his budding skills for both the Nambour Crushers and Sunshine Coast Falcons.
Falcons coach Tim Baldwin was among the first to pay tribute to the youngster after the devastating news of his death was announced.
He said: “He was a tough kid on the field, really skillful and played with a lot of passion as he loved rugby league.
“Off the field he had a loveable personality that was very lighthearted.
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“He'd come into the room with a big smile, have all these questions and really was a humble, mature and likeable kid.
“He came into the Falcons system this season and he was our vice-captain, so he had the respect of everyone. He really brought the group together as the person that he was.
“We're all very lucky to have met Benny and to be alongside him with his passion. We're going to have a lot of memories that will be with us for a long time.”
Caloundra State High School Head of Year 11 and 12 Andrew Gercken, who also coached Hunter, said: “He was a tremendous kid, a really polite, respectful young man.
“He was a great footballer but an even better kid.
“I just think about his family and his mates, it's going to be a tough couple of weeks given we're on school holidays. But it's going to hurt starting term three without him.”
And rugby league agent Craig Clifton added: “He was a devastating runner of the ball, a fantastic defender, and a player everyone liked playing with.
“There's no guarantees in rugby league but if anyone had the ability to make it, he did.”
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