GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Following the tragic deaths of two young mothers as well as a teenage girl in a car accident late Wednesday night, 21 August, a deep sense of shock and pain enveloped the communities of Knysna and Wilderness where the three women had left their footprints.

The accident claimed the lives of Kezia Parker (36) of Wilderness, Ursula Prukl (39) of Knysna and her daughter, Gali-Ray Ace (15), a Knysna Montessori learner. They were returning home from Cape Town where they visited family, bought stock and collected a visa for Gali-Ray who was planning a family visit to Europe later this year.

According to Captain Bernadine Steyn, Southern Cape Police spokesperson, the accident happened at about 22:30 on the N2 highway near Albertinia. A white Toyota Corolla with two occupants was travelling toward Cape Town and a maroon Ford Sedan with three occupants (Parker, Prukl and Ace) was travelling in the direction of Mossel Bay.

It is alleged that the Ford moved into the lane for oncoming traffic and the vehicles collided head-on. The three woman in the Ford passed away on the scene. The two occupants in the Corolla, a man and woman, were both taken to hospital and are in a stable condition. The police have opened a case of culpable homicide.

Parker was the owner of the shop, Enjoy, in Wilderness. Both Parker and Prukl were well-known artists and worked at markets in the Garden Route.

Tatum Lataste, a mutual friend, said that Knysna's Prukl was a "precious gem" who changed people's lives wherever she went.
Joe Parker, Kezia Parker's brother, said she had an overwhelming beauty which came from her every breath and word. Parker leaves behind two children, Ocea (15) and Gaia (12), and life partner Pierre du Val.

Sullen Skiez, an alternative rock band whose members all met at Knysna Montessori School, wrote a tribute to Gali-Ray, a friend of the band. The song, Goodbye, shows the band members' "appreciation for what she meant to all of us", says band member and songwriter, 17-year old Max Campbell. Together with Linda Mahlangu (17, vocalist), Oz Campbell (15, lead guitarist) and Paul Twekye (16, bassist) they will perform the song at the memorial service on Saturday 31 August at 14:30 at Beyond the Moon in Hoekwil, Wilderness. The service will be followed by a picnic.

Goodbye can be listened to on Sullen Skiez' Facebook page.


Kezia Parker (36)


Ursula Prukl (39)

ARTICLE: INGRID ERLANK

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