Share

Batman dies in car crash

Sydney - Former Australian runner Daniel Batman, who competed at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and was considered one of the country's best all-time sprinters, was killed on Tuesday in a single-car accident in the Northern Territory.

Police said on Wednesday that a car driven by the 31-year-old Batman left the Arnhem Highway near a bridge. Wreckage of his car, strewn over 100 meters along the highway, was discovered several hours later by a passing motorist.

Batman was once married to fellow Olympic sprinter and Australia field hockey player Nova Peris. They had two children. He was reported to have been visiting his children shortly before the accident.

Batman, who separated from Peris in 2010 and divorced in 2011, competed over 100, 200 and 400 metres.

Former Australian sprinter Matt Shirvington said on Twitter: "100m - 10.19s, 200m - 20.44s, 400m - 45.02s. Daniel Batman was the best all-round sprinter Australia has ever seen. Rest in peace, mate."

"It's a massive loss for the athletics fraternity," Shirvington told a Melbourne radio station later on Wednesday. "He was an amazing athlete. We've had faster sprinters but if you look at it across the board he would be the best."

A former Australian schoolboy rugby representative, Batman temporarily quit athletics to try a career with Super Rugby's Brumbies but didn't advance from their training squad.

Batman had a new partner, Natalie Sainsbury, and they had a child together last year.

Former coach Tudor Bidder remembered Batman as "very much a family man" who put his kids first.

"Thirty-one, it's not an age to be losing your life," Bidder said. "But he had quite a lot of life inside those few years."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2251 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE