Port Adelaide player John McCarthy dies in Las Vegas

[Punk Rooster]

Crikey, wasn't even with his team-mates.

I would not think this to be unusual?

[Johno6]

I just want to add its not only a sad day for footy but sad in general.
And it doesn't make it any less or more sad because he played footy
We have to realise this kinda stuff is obviously just as sad/emotional etc no matter who it happens to
R.i. P John.

[Mr66]

Nice post Johno

[Half Back Flanker]

Very Very sad story.......such a shame for someone so young with immense talent, to be taken so young. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. Its at time like this, how everyone in the football community show how special they are. RIP Jmac........Your final siren has sounded.

[Booney]

Was a very sombre mood at Alberton last night.

[JK]

I just want to add its not only a sad day for footy but sad in general.
And it doesn't make it any less or more sad because he played footy
We have to realise this kinda stuff is obviously just as sad/emotional etc no matter who it happens to
R.i. P John.

Quality Johno!!

[Dirko]

Sad news indeed. RIP J.Mac.

[Brodlach]

Watching the news this morning, I got really pissed off with the journalists asking questions and sticking microphones in the faces of the Port players that are still in Las Vegas. FFS, just leave them alone for a few days to let it sink in and grieve.

[heater31]

Watching the news this morning, I got really pissed off with the journalists asking questions and sticking microphones in the faces of the Port players that are still in Las Vegas. FFS, just leave them alone for a few days to let it sink in and grieve.

Also chased Essendon players as they arrived at LAX

[Dogwatcher]

Watching the news this morning, I got really pissed off with the journalists asking questions and sticking microphones in the faces of the Port players that are still in Las Vegas. FFS, just leave them alone for a few days to let it sink in and grieve.

It's an interesting thought.
Are you, yourself, looking for new information on this situation?

[Brodlach]

Watching the news this morning, I got really pissed off with the journalists asking questions and sticking microphones in the faces of the Port players that are still in Las Vegas. FFS, just leave them alone for a few days to let it sink in and grieve.

It's an interesting thought.
Are you, yourself, looking for new information on this situation?

Not really, no. Cannot change what has happened

[Tubby]

Latest news is, that he rang his girl friend a couple of hours before saying he wanted to come home.

[Booney]

The PAFC has commented on the phone call between McCarthy and his girlfriend but have not commented on the nature of the call.

The hotel where his life ended is some 4kms away from where the group of players were staying.

[Dutchy]

The first few days of a footy trip like this must be the most dangerous for the players, they have to be so disciplined all year with the way they act, they drink/eat and the company they keep. Then all of this is let go as soon as they step into another country where they are not known and dont have the club and media looking over them for a slip up.

Hopefully some good can come of this tragedy and teach some of the young blokes that life is so precious and can be taken in an instant with one simple mistake.

[RustyCage]

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/no-suspicious-circumstances-in-john-mccarthys-las-vegas-death-says-coroner/story-fnca0u4y-1226471510583

No suspicious circumstances in John McCarthy's Las Vegas death, says coroner

US investigators say they have CCTV footage of Port Adelaide footballer John McCarthy moments before he fell to his death in Las Vegas.

The footage shows McCarthy walking into the Flamingo Hotel and Casino only minutes before his death, which the coroner investigating the incident says there are no suspicious circumstances.

As McCarthy's body was formally identified by a family member - believed to be his sister, who was travelling in the US - at the Clark County Coroners' office, investigators returned to the scene of the incident this morning.

Clark County Coroner Mike Murphy told The Australian McCarthy had fallen approximately nine metres from a roof at the Flamingo Casino early Sunday.

The circumstances behind the passing of McCarthy, who was on an end of season trip with 10 other Port Adelaide players, remain under investigation but Mr Murphy said the 22-year-old was alone at the time.

“There is nothing that appears to be suspicious in nature, such as there was no interaction in nature between two humans on this roof,” he said.

Investigating coroner Tiffany Brown was at the scene in a Casino driveway this morning. There are five palm trees positioned about a metre from the roof's edge, but Mr Murphy would not comment on whether the Power player was attempting to scale one of them.

“I think it would be premature to make any statements in relation to that,” he said.

While an investigation may take up to three months to complete, officials are working with family to release the body to their custody in the next 24 hours.

McCarthy was found in the driveway of the Flamingo Hotel about 5.40am on Sunday (Las Vegas time).

Medical personnel transported him to a medical trauma centre where he was later pronounced dead, Las Vegas police said in a statement.



Laura Meltzer, an officer from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, said detectives from the violent crimes section attended the scene.

"Periodically, we have instances where someone has an accident down on the strip or someone has chosen to end their own life and it is standard procedure, for the person who is deceased, for detectives to be called out rom the violent crimes section," she said.

"It does not mean there is anything suspicious about the death."

She said police were investigating whether there was footage of suitable quality to be used in identifying how McCarthy came to be found in a driveway at The Flamingo.

"Whether or not we actually have video footage surveillance is under investigation. Whether or not those tapes show anything or whether or not they are usable ... will be part of the investigation," she said.

Police have appealed for witnesses who may have information about the death to come forward.

As Violent Crimes section detectives began their investigation into McCarthy's fatal fall, they warned their inquiries could take several weeks.

Las Vegas police officer Jose Hernandez told the ABC detectives were already interviewing potential witnesses and searching for more.

“Of course, everything is being looked into,” he said. “Obviously we don't know what the circumstances are, however, our investigation is ongoing and we hope to have some answers very soon.”

[Gozu]

Latest news is, that he rang his girl friend a couple of hours before saying he wanted to come home.

And supposedly he was alone too, not good.

[Hondo]

The first few days of a footy trip like this must be the most dangerous for the players, they have to be so disciplined all year with the way they act, they drink/eat and the company they keep. Then all of this is let go as soon as they step into another country where they are not known and dont have the club and media looking over them for a slip up.

Hopefully some good can come of this tragedy and teach some of the young blokes that life is so precious and can be taken in an instant with one simple mistake.

Great post Dutchy

It makes me wonder if they need to extend the "designated driver" concept to a designated non-drinker when on overseas trips. So one of the lads takes on the role of staying sober and keeping track of where eveyone is. It sounds like John got isolated late at night in a foreign country and has made some bad decisions without anyone there to help him.

Maybe that's unrealistic that one of the lads stays sober. Maybe they need a minder. Someone needs to know where these blokes are especially late at night.

[scoob]

The first few days of a footy trip like this must be the most dangerous for the players, they have to be so disciplined all year with the way they act, they drink/eat and the company they keep. Then all of this is let go as soon as they step into another country where they are not known and dont have the club and media looking over them for a slip up.

Hopefully some good can come of this tragedy and teach some of the young blokes that life is so precious and can be taken in an instant with one simple mistake.

Great post Dutchy

It makes me wonder if they need to extend the "designated driver" concept to a designated non-drinker when on overseas trips. So one of the lads takes on the role of staying sober and keeping track of where eveyone is. It sounds like John got isolated late at night in a foreign country and has made some bad decisions without anyone there to help him.

Maybe that's unrealistic that one of the lads stays sober. Maybe they need a minder. Someone needs to know where these blokes are especially late at night.

The Bulldogs crew over there did exaclty that... paid for a minder to travel with them

[cossi11]

The first few days of a footy trip like this must be the most dangerous for the players, they have to be so disciplined all year with the way they act, they drink/eat and the company they keep. Then all of this is let go as soon as they step into another country where they are not known and dont have the club and media looking over them for a slip up.

Hopefully some good can come of this tragedy and teach some of the young blokes that life is so precious and can be taken in an instant with one simple mistake.

Great post Dutchy

It makes me wonder if they need to extend the "designated driver" concept to a designated non-drinker when on overseas trips. So one of the lads takes on the role of staying sober and keeping track of where eveyone is. It sounds like John got isolated late at night in a foreign country and has made some bad decisions without anyone there to help him.

Maybe that's unrealistic that one of the lads stays sober. Maybe they need a minder. Someone needs to know where these blokes are especially late at night.

I think the Bulldogs or it might of been Essendon were doing this. I read it somewhere anyway but you are right, its not a stupid idea, especially if they are all in a very intoxicated state...

[cossi11]

The first few days of a footy trip like this must be the most dangerous for the players, they have to be so disciplined all year with the way they act, they drink/eat and the company they keep. Then all of this is let go as soon as they step into another country where they are not known and dont have the club and media looking over them for a slip up.

Hopefully some good can come of this tragedy and teach some of the young blokes that life is so precious and can be taken in an instant with one simple mistake.

Great post Dutchy

It makes me wonder if they need to extend the "designated driver" concept to a designated non-drinker when on overseas trips. So one of the lads takes on the role of staying sober and keeping track of where eveyone is. It sounds like John got isolated late at night in a foreign country and has made some bad decisions without anyone there to help him.

Maybe that's unrealistic that one of the lads stays sober. Maybe they need a minder. Someone needs to know where these blokes are especially late at night.

The Bulldogs crew over there did exaclty that... paid for a minder to travel with them

snap