Baseballer Brad Thomas, 32, the second sporting hero to die in fatal crash at Beaufort
ONE of the victims of the horrific fatal crash north of Port Wakefield on Monday has been remembered by his friends and baseball club as a family man with the heart of a lion.
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ONE of the victims of the horrific fatal crash north of Port Wakefield on Monday has been remembered by his friends and baseball club as a family man with the heart of a lion.
Brad Thomas, 32, passed away on Thursday after injuries sustained in the tragic crash at Beaufort that also claimed his wife Rebecca and 14-year-old boy Jackson Tudhope, who was travelling in another vehicle.
East Torrens Redsox Baseball Club, whom Mr Thomas played for until last year, will retire his number 24 to be handed down to his young son.
The youngster is poised to follow in his dad’s footsteps by playing tee-ball.
The club has also put Mr Thomas’s name to its players award in honour of his 200-plus senior games.
“We’ll really miss him,” club president John Lamb said.
“He was a great guy and a great catcher who retired at the end of the 2013/14 season to spend more time with his young family.
“We’ve retired his guernsey for his son in the event he will come and play for the club.
“He had the heart of a lion and his work ethic was second to none. He had a lot of fight in him.”
Friends changed their Facebook profile pictures to a baseball with Mr Thomas’s number to pay tribute to the young father of two.
The two-car crash at the intersection of the Copper Coast and Yorke Highways happened about 11.15am on Monday.
Mr Thomas’ wife died at the scene. Mr Thomas and Jackson, a promising hockey player who represented the state, were rushed to hospital but passed away this week.
Police allege a 40-year-old Bridgewater man was driving a third car that caused the fatal collision but was undamaged.
He was reported for causing death by dangerous driving and aggravated driving without due care.
It is likely the man will now face a third count of causing death by dangerous driving.
He will be summonsed to appear in court later this year.