Rockhampton man Nathanael Patson’s family, fiancee share insight into his life after

The family of a 24-year-old victim of a tragic head-on crash have given an insight into the wonderful man whose death has left a hole in their hearts.

The death of a Rockhampton man with a ‘heart of gold’ has left gaping holes in the hearts of his family, fiancee and friends.

Nathanael Patson was 24 years old when he died from injuries sustained in a head-on collision on Yeppoon Road in March 2020.

The at-fault driver in the crash, Lochie John Taylor, was sentenced in Rockhampton District Court on September 24, with Nathanael’s family and fiancee stating they forgave the young 22 year old for his mistake of driving while fatigued, which caused the crash on March 3.

After the sentencing, Nathanael’s father Noel and two of his five brothers, Joel and Tobias, along with fiancee Sarah Morgan, gave an insight into the kind of person their lost loved one was.

Nathanael Patson's father Noel, along with two of his five brothers, Joel and Tobias, leaving the Rockhampton court house after at-fault fatal crash driver Lochie John Taylor, 22, was sentenced to three years and three months prison, suspended after serving eight months, and operational for five years.

The graduate of Central Queensland Christian College, now Kingsley College, was a kind and giving man who had travelled to three countries through Christian Mission, starting when he was just 13 years old.

He first carried out missionary work in the Philippines when he was 13 and celebrated his 14th birthday while there.

He then celebrated his 16th birthday doing similar work in Cambodia and also worked in the Solomon Islands with Sarah and others.

But it wasn’t just those in need that Nathanael liked to lend a hand to.

From helping his brother move house, to being his fiancee’s cheerleader, Nathanael was there for anybody any time they needed him – “almost to a fault,” according to Sarah.

Nathanael Patson with his fiancé Sarah Morgan.

“Nathanael was one of those people who was always there,” she said.

“He would always do whatever he could to help others and be a blessing to them, whether that meant setting up chairs for a party or leaving the party to go talk to someone because they needed help with something or to work through something.

“No matter what it was, he would always say yes, to a fault.

“He always put others first and he lived his life in service to those around him.”

Sarah’s father Justin said the biggest thing about Nathanael was his character.

“He was a very honourable young man,” he said.

“He was so careful in doing things right that he almost didn’t … almost tripped himself up in winning my daughter’s heart. Because he was so, so careful, in doing the right thing by her, in doing the right thing by me … his caution. He had good character.

“Those are far more important than all the other things that could be described about him.”

Sarah, who had been in a relationship with Nathanael for two years and got engaged in November 2019, said that’s why she fell in love with him.

“I was studying down south at the time,” she said.

“And he used to drive eight hours just to see me for a weekend and drive back and he would do that at least once a month.”

“He was encouraging, uplifting, and kind-hearted.

“He had a dog that he had adopted and when that dog died after a few months only, he wept.

“Because that’s the kind of person he was. He was very caring. Just very very kind hearted. Sensitive but tough when he needed to be.”

Nathanael Patson's high school friend Joshua Morgan and Nathanael's fiancee Sarah Morgan leaving the Rockhampton court house after Lochie John Taylor was sentenced for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing the death of Mr Patson.

Nathanael’s brother, Tobias, said he was always there to help. Even for small things like helping to carry something or when moving house, he’d be the first one to volunteer.

“Nathanael was a really helpful person,” he said.

“He was the best man at my wedding (five months before the crash). He meant a lot to me. He was just always there for me. Not just for me, for everyone.

“There’s a lot of things that I learnt from him to do with mechanics and welding and building things.

“He was very intelligent.

“He taught himself a lot of stuff off the internet by watching YouTube videos and tutorials.

“He was always interested in new technology and engineering his own things to help his own house, fix up fences, fix up his motorbike and his truck (1992 Toyota Hilux and Honda 125cc).

“So very hands on but also very intelligent.”

The apprentice stonemason, who was working at Ten Commandments Granite and Marble at Barmaryee, had been accepted into engineering at university.

Sarah said Nathanael, who loved sandstone and was given an honorary certificate despite not completing his stonemason studies, wanted to set up a business.

“They were very impressed with his work,” Noel said.

His father said Nathanael, his third child, was already thinking ahead with regards to looking after his parents when they were retired and needed help.

“He was very relational, and personable and likeable … and loveable,” Noel said, choking back tears.

Originally published as Rockhampton man Nathanael Patson’s family, fiancee share insight into his life after