Fake news is a danger to one and all. The McCullums got a taste of it on Saturday when the ‘news’ of Kiwi all-rounder Nathan McCullum’s untimely death went viral on social media.

Earlier in the day, a few posts on Twitter stated that Nathan had passed away at the age of 38. That ‘news’ was carried by some other sites on social media. Soon, Nathan himself rubbished the report, posting a message on Twitter, alongside a selfie, stating he was in fine health: “I am alive and kicking more than ever before. Not sure where this news has come from but this is fake. Love you all.”

According to a report on nzherald.co.nz, some Indian cricketers contacted Kiwi players association chief Heath Mills, who in turn contacted Nathan’s brother and star batsman Brendon to check the veracity of the ‘news.

“I have to say, my heart was racing before he picked up,” Mills said.

Brendon was returning to New Zealand following his stint in the T10 League in Sharjah and took to social media to not only express his anguish at the fake news but also to promise he will get to the bottom of it.

“Tonight someone decided, via social media to release that my brother passed away. I’m on a flight back to NZ and my heart broke. None of it is true! Whoever put this out there, I’ll find you! Somewhere, somehow,” Brendon tweeted.