A TRAGIC car accident near London on Sunday claimed the life of well known Richards Bay resident Costa Yiannakakis.
Costa (34) died when his vehicle failed to negotiate a roundabout in Babylon Lane at Lower Kingswood in Surrey and crashed into a tree at around 6.40am.
He was alone in the car.
Costa was living with his fiancée Celeste Swart – whose birthday was on Tuesday – and their 19-month-old daughter Christine Alexia.
Costa had been in the country for more than three years and worked in the real estate business.
Messages of condolence have poured in to his parents Nico and Charmaine, and his brothers Emilio and Nico and their families.
The Yiannakakis family also lost another son, Brandon (28) at an untimely age 10 years ago.
‘The outpouring of support from around the globe has been overwhelming,’ said Nico snr.
‘We are a close knit family with plenty of friends and people have rallied around us.
‘Thank you; we are blessed by them.
‘Costa was an extremely social person and was well loved by many who are shocked at his passing.
‘Like his brothers, he was into body building and although he did not take part in competitions, all his hard work in the gym paid off and he boasted a fine physique.
‘Although he lived in the UK, his heart remained in Africa and he longed for the warm weather and his pals and family.’
South African friends of Costa have placed a memorial at the crash site.
A service will be held today (Thursday) at 11am at the Richards Bay Community Church in Disa Dives, Veldenvlei.
Nico and Charmaine will fly to London on Monday and will return with Costa’s ashes.
