Community rallies to support family of Nathan Abeling after freak fishing accident
A Mornington community is in mourning after a freak wave tragically claimed the life of Nathan Abeling, described by his loved ones as “the most incredible human being”.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
The tragic early death of a beloved Mornington man has left his family and friends reeling after a freak wave claimed his life.
Nathan Abeling was only 22 years old and “just wanted to live”, according to his partner of four years Isabelle Bertram.
Described as “a really incredible human being”, Ms Bertram said Nathan had been “full of cheeky smiles”.
“You could never wipe the smile off his face,” she said.
“He’d light up every room he walked into, he was everybody’s friend.”
The pair met through mutual friends when they were 16 and had been together ever since.
“If you know Nathan, you know me – we came as one, we experienced everything together,” Ms Bertram said.
“I still can’t believe he’s not coming home, we were supposed to be us until we got old.”
A lover of fishing, go-karting and camping, Ms Bertram said Nathan was “selfless” and “was always putting others before himself”.
“Anyone who spoke to him would want more time with him,” she said.
“Even our relationship, the love that we experienced, I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Nathan died after being washed into the ocean by a freak wave on a fishing trip with Ms Bertram.
A GoFundMe set up to help Nathan’s family and Ms Bertram through their grief has raised $14,835 at the time of writing.
Ms Bertram said the support had been “incredible”.
“His mates have been sleeping on the floor in our room, it helps keep the mind busy,” she said.
“It’s quite incredible at times like this how people come together.”
You can find the online fundraiser here.
