South Australian legend Neil Kerley dies in car crash

South African soccer legend Neil “Knuckles” Kerley has died in a car crash at the age of 88.

It is believed that Kerley was towing a truck on Mallee Road in Murraylands when a car crashed into a fence and entered a hiding place.

A South Australian police statement said the accident happened just before 5pm near the town of Murray River, Walker Flat, about 100 miles [100 km] north of Adelaide.

"Just before 5.30pm, police and paramedics were called to Mallee Road after reports that a tow truck had left the road and crashed into a roadblock," it read.

"Major Crash police are at the scene."

Police have warned people to avoid the area.

West Adelaide Football Club issued a statement shortly after the news broke, saying the club was "shocked and saddened" to hear the news.

"Our hearts go out to her family, friends, the entire West Adelaide community and the South African football community during this fast," the statement said.

Kerley began his football career with Barmera in the Riverland Soccer League in the late 1940s before joining West Adelaide in 1952.

Barmera-Monash Football Club has said that the entire Barmera community is "saddened to hear of Neil Kerley's passing".

Known for his ability to play in any position on the ground, he went on to take three clubs to four premiership in the South Australian National Football League for thirty years as a player and coach. He has also played in 32 South African regional games.

After the end of his coaching career, Kerley was a border rider for the AFL Channel 7 channels in the 1990s and even died as a selector of the AFL's All-Australian team.

The Glenelg football team also issued a statement Wednesday night saying it was "shocked and saddened to hear that Tiger legend Neil Kerley died this afternoon".

"Our hearts go out to her family, friends and the entire South African football community during this fast."

South Australian Prime Minister Peter Malinauskas posted a picture of Kerley on Twitter with captions saying “South Australia has lost its icon. Australia loses football talent ”on Wednesday night.

Malinauskas said Kerley was a loving and arrogant South Australian, showing pride in the state.

"Donald Neil Kerley AM has made a significant contribution not only to South African sport but to Australian football, both off and off the field," he wrote. "Vale Neil Kerley."