Man surrenders to police over spectator death

The Age

Robin Grace

May 12, 2015

 

A 45-year-old Portland man has agreed to hand himself in to police over the death of a spectator at a regional football match, police say.

Heywood fan Darren Bell was knocked unconscious and went into cardiac arrest after the South West District Football League match between the local Lions and Portland-based Westerns on Saturday.

The 47-year-old was in an altercation with another spectator at the Heywood Football Netball Club ground, 25 kilometres north of Portland in the state's west.

Despite attempts to resuscitate Mr Bell, he died at the scene.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said on Monday afternoon homicide detectives had made contact with the Portland man, who had agreed to hand himself in to police "in the near future".

Glenelg Shire Mayor Robert Halliday said the Bells were prominent members of the community and residents were in shock over the death.

"Word spread very, very quickly and everybody was absolutely devastated," he said.

Mr Bell worked at the port of Portland and his family had a long history of community service in the area.

His brother Michael is the president of the local football club and his late brother Wayne received an Order of Australia in 2012 for his work in Aboriginal justice.

Cr Halliday said he hadn't spoken with Mr Bell's relatives yet but "whatever council can do to ease the pain of the Bell family, we will do".

"It's something that shouldn't have happened," he said.

Heywood Football Netball Club vice-president Tim Grey said on Sunday the club's thoughts and prayers were with the family.

"What happened was just tragic," he said. "We are all feeling for the Bell family. There is a police investigation going on so there will be no further comment."

Tributes flowed on social media for Mr Bell, who was also known was Bushy.

Friends and family members expressed their grief and shock at the loss of a "great man".

One family member wrote: "What an amazing man he is. He would do anything for anyone. Will be extremely missed by all of us".