Tributes flow for decorated NT sportsman, Warren Berto, a legend on and off the field

TERRITORY NTFL star Warren Berto, a winner of the prestigious Nichols Medal, has tragically died after his car rolled near Pine Creek

Warren Berto, pictured when he was playing for Nightcliff during the 2011 NTFL season

TERRITORY NTFL star Warren Berto, a winner of the prestigious Nichols Medal, has tragically died after his car rolled near Pine Creek.

Loved ones of Mr Berto, have shared their grief in his sudden passing.

The 35-year-old father of three died after sustaining significant injuries to his head and leg when the Hilux he was travelling in rolled just south of Pine Creek on the Stuart Hwy on Monday afternoon.

• RELATED: NT sports star Warren Berto dies in car crash

Mr Berto was a resident of Moulden and had been a club member of the Palmerston Magpies Football Club for a decade.

Palmerston Magpies president and close family friend Russell Davey said his passing had been a shattering loss for their club.

He said Mr Berto was one of their most senior premier league players and only five games away from receiving his NTFL lifetime membership.

Warren Berto, right, shared the NTFL’s prestigious Nichols Medal with Jarred Ilett during the 2007/2008 football season

“He was a good character on and off the field, he’s made a big impact on our club,” Mr Davey said.

“Due to injuries he hadn’t been playing as much as he used to but he would always put his hand up to volunteer and had a lot of pride for our club. I’ve been best mates and playing footy with Warren since we were 15.

“He was an easy person to talk to and he always knew just what to say when the boys huddled up in a game.

Warren Berto playing for the MacKillop Sharks in the NRLNT competition

“He’ll be sadly missed and everyone at the club is thinking of his family during this hard time.”

Mr Berto was a decorated NTFL player, taking home the game’s most prestigious award, the Nichols Medal, alongside Jarred Ilett in the 2007/2008 football season while playing for the Nightcliff Football Club.

Mr Berto also played rugby league for the MacKillop Sharks.

It is understood he was driving to Katherine for work when the rollover occurred.

Authorities were notified of the crash on the Stuart Hwy at 4pm Monday by a passing motorist.

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Pine Creek health clinic staff, St John Ambulance paramedics from Katherine and emergency services worked to free Mr Berto from the wreck.

Mr Berto, the sole occupant of the Toyota Hilux, had to be cut free.

St John Ambulance Territory duty manager Craig Garraway said Mr Berto was rushed to the Pine Creek Health Clinic to be stabilised before being flown to Darwin but died at 5.30pm.

Tributes have flowed for Warren Berto, described as a legend “on and off the field”

“The patient was quite critical so they took them to the clinic to try to stabilise them but there was nothing they could do,” Mr Garraway said.

Mr Garraway said he understood Mr Berto was trapped in the car for some time before help arrived.

The Major Crash Investigation Unit have travelled to Pine Creek to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

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The rollover closed the Stuart Hwy until 11.30am Tuesday but motorists were able to continue travelling via a detour through the town of Pine Creek.

Police are asking anyone who may have seen a Toyota Hilux with registration plates 730 701 travelling on the highway about 4pm, prior to the crash, to contact them if they have information that might help with the investigation.

The NT road toll now stands at seven compared to 11 at the same time last year.