Father's death a double blow

Hayley Soper went to farewell a friend on Monday who died from injuries suffered in a motorcycle crash.

But 25 minutes into the funeral of David Stevens she was confronted with the terrible news her own father had just died of a massive heart attack.

When her grandmother Fran Hunter rushed into the service and urged her outside, she knew something was wrong.

Said Ms Soper: "She said to me, 'Your father's dead. He's had a heart attack. Get everyone together. We have to go'."

Ms Soper's father, Regan Soper, 50, had suffered a massive heart attack in the reception area of New Brighton Health Care just after 8am.

He had not been feeling well on Friday and had made a doctor's appointment for Monday. Friend David Cant had driven him there but he had become so unwell that a nurse had to wheel him from the car in a wheelchair.

Said Ms Soper: "I couldn't believe it. I was in total shock. I was already upset from David's funeral. I got in the car and we drove to my dad's house. It hit me when I got out of the car. It was like a bad nightmare.

"I still didn't believe he'd gone until I saw him that night. It still seems totally unreal. I never thought I would ever see my dad like that," she said.

Ms Soper, 21, had been at Mr Stevens' funeral, whose life support was turned off at Christchurch Hospital last Monday.

He had suffered severe head injuries when he came off his motorcycle on Bowhill Rd, North New Brighton, the previous Saturday.

In a cruel twist, his father Paul Stevens, only found out about the crash when he phoned his son's cellphone in a bid to find out where he was.

A staff member from the hospital's intensive care unit answered the phone, and gave Mr Stevens the terrible news.

Mr Soper's brother Rick said a desperate attempt was made to resuscitate him in the reception area. They tried to sit him up on a table but he fell off and had a graze on the side of his head.

"The coroner said he was surprised at how fit and healthy he looked but said it wasn't so good on the inside. Three of his arteries were clogged from top to bottom.

"Even if they'd found out a couple of months ago an attempt at a triple bypass probably would have failed.''

Mr Cant said he knew something was not right with Mr Soper on Monday morning when he arrived at the Jungle Patrol Cafe where he used to work as a baker.

"He said he was a bit tired and needed to sit down because he was having a bit of trouble breathing. He'd always thought he'd had asthma and that some thing was wrong with his heart. He had a puff on an inhaler and seemed fine. He was a bit grey and looked tired.

"He'd rung and said he wasn't feeling well before he came in. As soon as I saw him I knew he'd better get to the doctors.

"The car ride was very quiet and not a lot was said until I dropped him off. We pulled up outside and he told me he couldn't get out of the car,'' said Mr Cant.

In an effort to keep Mr Soper's spirits up, Mr Cant told him he must be getting old.

"I got a nurse to come outside with a wheelchair and helped him out of the car. I asked him if he was okay and told him to ring me after he'd finished. He said 'thanks mate, I'll see you soon. I'll leave my cigarettes and lighters here'.''

Ms Soper said she will miss everything about her dad.

"Dad would text me every day to tell me he loved me. He couldn't tell me enough. He was my best friend. I am going to miss those texts and just asking him things. He seemed to know everything.

"I could talk to him about anything and everything. Dad would always call me dear and his wee bub bub.

"Dad won't be there to walk me down the aisle when I get married one day. I always wanted him to. I will miss not being able to talk to him every day. I've got lots of friends and family around me and I've got Lilah (daughter) to keep me smiling but it's hard. We were so close. I never thought he would ever be gone. He was such a great person,'' she said.

The last text message Ms Soper received from her dad was on Sunday night.

"He thanked me for a wonderful day and said he hoped we could do that every Sunday. He texted me Monday morning to let me know he had a doctor's appointment but said he would be fine. That's the last I'd heard from him,'' she said.