Australian sprinter Batman dies in car crash

Former Olympian Daniel Batman, described as the best all-round sprinter Australia has ever seen, has been killed in a car crash aged 31, police said on Wednesday.

Batman died Tuesday in an accident southeast of Darwin when his car veered off the road and rolled 10 metres (32 feet).

Detectives said they were not sure what caused the crash, but speed and alcohol could be factors.

Batman, who had a daughter with former sprinter and Olympic gold medal-winning hockey player Nova Peris-Kneebone, competed at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and was the Australian national 200m champion in 2005 and 2006.

Retired sprinter Matt Shirvington said his death was a great loss for the sport.

"Daniel Batman was the best all-round sprinter Australia has ever seen. Rest in peace mate." Former world hurdles champion Jana Pittman remembered childhood trips spent with him.

"So sad to hear the news of Daniel Batman's passing... we spent most of our teens on trips together," she tweeted. AFP