Update
ABERDEEN NEWS — Well-known Aberdeen resident Stephen Moore (42) was tragically killed in a motor accident in the early hours of Sunday morning, July 2.
Moore, a long distance truck driver, had returned from a trip to Durban on Saturday afternoon and only took time to shower and change before setting off for the Wildsfees near Kirkwood with his daughter Steph-Mari.
There they met up with Stephen’s ex-wife Antoinette, with whom he was still good friends, who was already at the festival with friends of the family.
The three Moores left the festival very late in the evening, initially with Stephen driving, heading for Port Elizabeth where they were going to stay the night with the family friends. Being tired from his long trip back from Durban, and not feeling well, Stephen asked his daughter to take over the driving soon after they left Kirkwood, and he went to sleep across the back seats. They travelled on the back road between Addo and Motherwell, which is in poor condition with many potholes and patches. It is unclear exactly what happened, but in the early hours of Sunday morning, as they neared Motherwell, Steph-Mari lost control of the vehicle, veered onto the gravel at the side of the road, and the car overturned.
Despite the fact that she was wearing her seatbelt, Steph-Mari fell out of the car, slightly injuring her leg, and was unconscious for a short while. Antoinette, who was in the front passenger seat, did not lose consciousness but was unable to get out of the car.
Residents from nearby dwellings in Motherwell rushed to the scene to help, and one person borrowed Antoinette a phone to contact the family friends, who were travelling a few kilometres ahead. The police and ambulance services were called, but sadly Stephen had passed away at the scene of the accident from multiple injuries.
Stephen was born in Aberdeen, attended school in the town, and was very proud of his Karoo background. He and Antoinette had just the one daughter, but he also had three stepchildren, who he treated as his own.
His stepson Riaan Barnard, who lives in Aberdeen, has always looked up to Stephen as his father figure, as he was very young when his mother married Stephen. He remembers his stepfather as a very caring person. Steph-Mari, who moved to Port Elizabeth a few months ago with her mother, had returned to Aberdeen two weeks ago to spend time with her father –time which will now be especially treasured.
She had only passed her driving test the previous week, and he was extremely proud of her for this achievement, sharing his delight on his Facebook wall that she was now a “legal eagle”. At the moment, Steph-Mari is understandably nervous about getting back behind the wheel but is determined to honour the faith that her father had in her and start driving again soon.
Stephen worked for local farmer Hannes Gouws for about seven years, transporting livestock to Durban. He loved his job, and would often share photos of his travels with his many Facebook friends. He was very involved in the organisation of a reunion of Aberdeen High school pupils a few years ago, and his enthusiasm and obvious love for his hometown helped attract many other past pupils to the event.
He was a very sociable man, who loved spending time around a braai with family and friends, often playing the guitar. Motorbikes were also a passion for him, and even when he no longer owned a bike, he still loved attending local gatherings of bikers.
Stephen’s father died in 2000, but his mother, Yvonne, still lives in Aberdeen. He also leaves his sister, Yolanda Smith, from Baviaanskloof.
A memorial service will be held for Stephen in the Aberdeen Dutch Reformed Church on Friday, July 7 at 14:00.
Read a previous news flash: Well-known local killed in accident
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