According to Knysna SAPS a head-on collision involving two vehicles occurred on Friday, November 19 at 10:15, resulting in Stabler’s death, and the serious injury of another motorist, well-known Pastor Brian Long. The exact cause of the accident has not yet been confirmed by authorities.
However, it is believed Stabler had suffered a heart attack causing him to veer into oncoming traffic and colliding with Long’s vehicle. While it is believed that the heart attack caused Stabler’s death, a person on the scene mentioned that he had also suffered multiple injuries as a result of the collision.
The grief-stricken wife of Stabler, June Stabler, chairperson of the Knysna Branch of the South African Red Cross, says that her husband took her to the George airport earlier on that fateful day.
"I went to Johannesburg on Friday to surprise my eldest daughter, Judith Beckett, because it was her birthday on Sunday. A staff worker of SA Red Cross called me on Friday to tell me that my husband, Ken, had not yet arrived at the Red Cross offices. I assumed that something had happened to him as the office opens at 11:00. I immediately tried to contact him, but he did not answer his cellphone," says June.
Stabler continues that Red Cross called her back the disturbing news that there had been an accident involving a white Toyota Camry. That was when she realised that it could only have been her missing husband. June and two of her daughters and other relatives immediately arranged to return to Knysna.
"It’s a huge shock for the family," says June.
June and Kenneth Stabler’s daughter Angela Raines, remembers her father as "just a very special and unique person. He was a quiet and reserved person, a well-liked and respected person. He always made friends and was also well-loved".
A memorial service for the late Kenneth Arthur Stabler was held on Wednesday, November 24 at the Kingdom Hall in Knysna. Funeral arrangements could not be confirmed at the time of going to press.
Stabler leaves behind his wife, June, three daughters, Raines, Karen Heasman, Judith Beckett, and eight grandchildren, James, Gareth, Brett, Laurelle, Sarah-Jane, Gregory, Phillipa and Jonathan.
Seriously injured in the accident Pastor Brian Long of The Island Church in Knysna had to be extricated from his vehicle by ER24 paramedics and Knysna firefighters, using the jaws of life.
Long was rushed to the Knysna Private Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery to a broken femur.
According to Long’s wife, Cheryl Long, her husband took a turn for the worse on Monday, November 22. It was discovered that he was suffering from severe internal bleeding affecting his lungs, as a result of a tear in his diaphragm caused by severed ribs. Friends and relatives experienced a harrowingly anxious time as he had to undergo emergency surgery remedy the life-threatening condition. He is currently in an induced coma in the Knysna Private Hospital, in a critical yet stable condition.
According to Cheryl, her husband had suffered multiple injuries, including several leg fractures, a crushed knee and broken ribs.
However, she reports that he seemed much improved on Tuesday, November 23 following the ordeal of the previous day.
"Thank you to all the churches and everyone who continues to pray. Our God is willing and able to do amazing things," says Cheryl.
ARTICLE: ROZANO ALIE
.JPG)
