A Socceroos fan has died and two of his friends have been injured in a horror car crash after watching a World Cup match.
Cesare Liberatore, 18, died after the car he was a passenger in was involved in a collision with another vehicle on the opposite side of the road in Attwood, about 17km north-west of Melbourne, about 7am on Saturday.
His friends, Julian, 18, and Oscar Lococo, 17, were also in the vehicle and have both been hospitalised with serious injuries, the Herald Sun reports.
The trio were involved in the collision as they drove home from Federation Square after the Socceroos suffered a 2-0 defeat to the United States.
Cesare’s grandmother Mary Liberatore said there had been an “outpouring of grief” from the local community who had rallied around to support the family.
“All day they’ve knocked on the door – boys sobbing with flowers in their hands,” she told the publication.
“I am absolutely gobsmacked. You can tell the measure of a person by the company that they keep. These kids – every one of them – are just beautiful.
“You hear all these bad things about today’s generation. I feel the need to get in touch with the schools to thank them.”
Cesare was a Gladstone Park Secondary College year 12 student and previously attended St Bernard’s College.
Julian had attended Gladstone Park before securing an apprenticeship earlier this year while Oscar is a year 12 student at St Bernard’s.
In tribute to Cesare, St Bernard’s principal Michael Davies said “our heartfelt prayers are with his family and friends at this time of unimaginable loss”.
“As a college community, we hold all three young men and their families in our thoughts and prayers,” he said.
A GoFundMe set up in honour of Cesare said the teenager left a “lasting mark on everyone” he met.
“He was known for his kind heart, infectious smile, and the way he could make anyone feel welcome,” the fundraiser said.
“Whether it was through his sense of humour, his generosity, or simply being there for the people he cared about, Cesare brought light into the lives of so many.
“The loss of Cesare has left an unimaginable void in the hearts of his parents, Zarr and Simonetta, as well as his family, friends, teammates, and everyone fortunate enough to know him.”