Update: Sad end for homeless man

JUST weeks before his death, Bradley Urquhart (42) had been on the road to recovery and was receiving treatment for a substance addiction problem at a Durban rehabilitation centre.

Urquhart, an amputee, was found dead last Tuesday morning behind a Richards Bay building, a day after returning from his 10-week substance abuse treatment in Durban.

On Friday morning, family and friends met at Naval Island for a memorial service where Pastor Robbie Robbertze of JC Kingdom Ministries spoke of a man who had made a choice to change his life and get back on the right track.
Urquhart was a familiar face around Richards Bay and often seen at the robot intersection of East Central Arterial and Tassel Berry Road where he sold key rings and card holders.

He had been involved in a car accident a few years ago and his one leg was amputated, resulting in him leaving his work as a welder and maintenance man.
Robbertze said he had met Urquhart during an outreach project and was touched by his desire to accept Christ and change his life.
‘We knew a good Bradley, he was going to be such a testimony, these last few weeks he was making such progress and had even picked up weight and was recovering well.
‘His life was not in vain, he had reached out to many children on the street and advised them to change; this also raised awareness about the children living in the streets and the drug problem in our city,’ he said.

Richards Bay SAPS could not confirm the cause of death and are waiting for the inquest report.