THE father of Olympic and World Champion sprinter Steven Gardiner Jr and another man died in a traffic accident on Abaco on Sunday night.

Police said Steven Gardiner Sr and Stanley McIntosh were killed after their car crashed into a utility pole shortly around 11pm on the SC Bootle Highway.

Only last week, Gardiner Jr added another milestone to his decorated career, claiming his first national title in the men’s 200m sprint in the BAAA Senior National Track and Field Championships at the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium.

News of the men’s deaths sent shockwaves throughout the community yesterday, with locals remembering the pair as well-known and loved across the island.

“It is really unfortunate. It is a crushing blow to the entire community of North Abaco,” said Family Island administrator Stephen Wilson.

Mr McIntosh, a resident of Fire Road, was a beloved boat captain, while Mr Gardiner Sr was described as loved “by all”.

Both leave behind heartbroken families.

Mr Wilson said residents in North Abaco are deeply saddened by the tragedy.

“This is a very low moment for everyone in the community. One of the staff members, her brother, passed, and she did not come to work this morning. She is continuously crying for her brother, and the community is shocked at this point,” he told The Tribune.

“They both were outstanding community leaders, people looked up to them for guidance from day to day. They have really done well for their families and taught them how to be community-minded. They will be dearly missed by everybody.”

The traffic fatality is one of several fatal crashes on the SC Bootle Highway in recent years, renewing concerns about the road’s condition. When asked about this yesterday, Mr Wilson said he could not comment, noting that police are still investigating.

He said: “We will allow police to do their work as to what really transpired last evening.”

Still, he urged residents to keep both families in their prayers and to drive carefully along the long, winding roads.

“We are asking people to be very mindful of the long and dangerous curves on the roads,” added Mr Wilson.

The victims’ immediate relatives could not be reached up to press time. However, The Tribune understands that Mr Gardiner Sr had been planning to travel this week for a family reunion in Florida that his son was also expected to attend.

His family’s pastor, Samuel Cornish, described him as “friendly” and “sociable”.

“They were industrious,” he said. “Nobody was expecting this; it is shocking, especially the way that they passed. So, it is really tragic for the entire island to wake up to such unexpected sad news,” he said. “We will get through it, like we get through everything else. We are praying for the families.”

“Both of them were well-known, likeable young men who had a good reputation. They will be truly missed. Gardiner is the father of Steven Gardiner, people know that, and we are praying for Steven Jr, as he is on the world stage, and to be shocked by this, must be very difficult for him.”

Pastor Cornish said that tragic events such as this are a part of life.

“As long as we live, we will have these kinds of stuff that will happen. As a pastor, the only thing I can say is we have to all make sure we are ready to go when our time comes. This is the world that we live in; as long as we live, tragedies will happen.”

The religious leader described Mr McIntosh as a very outgoing man who was friendly and hardworking. “He was a very sociable guy; people will miss him,” he said.

Terrece Bootle-Laing, former administrator, is saddened and offered condolences to the families in North Abaco. She had similar words of praise for the men, calling them “vibrant, cherished, and deeply connected to families who served as pillars of their community.”

Their deaths bring the traffic fatality count to 46 for the year, according to The Tribune’s records.