Latrell Mitchell left 'shattered' as details of awful family tragedy come to light

One of two teenagers killed in a car accident in northern NSW on Saturday has reportedly been identified as Latrell Mitchell's cousin. Two teens died and three others were hospitalised after a horror crash in Tabulam, about 60km west of Casino.

Emergency services were called to Plains Station Rd after reports of a single-vehicle crash at 3:20am on Saturday morning. A Volkswagen Tiguan reportedly lost control and smashed into a tree.

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Two teenagers were declared dead at the scene by paramedics. “Three teenagers were taken to hospital, with one in a serious condition while the two others are being treated for minor injuries,” a spokesperson from the NSW Police said.

On Sunday, News Corp reported that one of the teenagers killed was a 14-year-old cousin of South Sydney Rabbitohs star Mitchell. According to the report, Mitchell has been left "shattered" by the news after learning of the tragedy on Saturday.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb told the publication it was a “a tragic waste of young life”. According to News Corp, the car had been stolen. The other teenager killed is believed to be 15.

Latrell Mitchell rocked by tragedy amid tumultuous year

The tragedy comes amid a difficult time for Mitchell. The 26-year-old copped widespread criticism for his lacklustre performances in the last few weeks of the NRL season.

Mitchell was suspended for the final round of the regular season, watching on from the sidelines as the Rabbitohs lost to the Roosters and missed out on the finals. It marked the first time in the NRL era that a team has failed to make the finals after leading the competition as late as round 12.

“When you miss 10 weeks in the middle of the season, it’s hard to get your form back for the rest of the year, not to mention come back into a side that had lost confidence," Souths coach Jason Demetriou told the Sydney Morning Herald last week. "That put more pressure on him.”

Mitchell started the year in fine form but suffered a calf injury that kept him on the sidelines for over two months. “The frustration of the injury, and the extended period he was out, it didn’t put him in a good place either,” Demetriou said. “I’m really excited to have him back. I know how much he is also hurting about the way we finished the year.”

Mitchell was made to front court earlier this month, but fighting charges levelled against him and Jack Wighton were thrown out when the police case collapsed. The most senior police officer involved in their arrest - Sergeant David Power - admitted he gave false evidence and lied under oath while testifying about the incident in Canberra.

Lawyers for the NRL players have indicated that civil action would stem from the botched prosecution, with the ACT's attorney-general reportedly considering a review into the case. Mitchell said the hardest part of the situation was the brutal media spotlight and the effect the ordeal had on his family and loved ones.

"I hope everyone knows and understands the seriousness of what's going on and (it was) a massive hit on the community," he told reporters outside court. "For the last 10 months it's been very hard for not only myself but my family and what they've had to read and endure ... (it's a) traumatic experience that I've had of Canberra."

with agencies

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