Kenneth (32) is honored on a football field, hours later he finds his father (56) dead in a canal: “Euphoria makes way for great sadness” (Diksmuide)

56-year-old Pascal from Diksmuide died close to the Diksmuid sports complex De Pluimen on Saturday night. The man came from the championship celebration of the KSV Diksmuide football club and fell into a canal of water on the way back home. The tragic discovery was made by his son Kenneth, an icon of the club. “The blow is extremely hard for Kenneth,” said captain Aaron Vandendriessche

Just after 7 a.m., the emergency services were called to Pluimstraat in Diksmuide. There it turned out that a man was lying in a canal with his face in the water. It was the victim’s son who found him on Sunday morning, after searching in vain for his father all night. They had attended the championship celebration of football club KSV Diksmuide together on Saturday evening in the sports complex on Pluimstraat. The team was promoted to third national. Son Kenneth is a club icon and former captain of the club and that is why he was allowed to kick off the championship match. He was also honored as a former player. Father Pascal was therefore also present at the festivities. (Read more below the photo)

Son Kenneth returned home early and discovered around 3 a.m. that his father had not returned. He searched the area, but did not find his father. At daybreak he continued his search and found his father in a ditch of water. Despite the rapid response of the emergency services, no further assistance could be provided. 56-year-old Pascal died on the spot. The public prosecutor’s office appointed a medical examiner to determine the precise circumstances, but everything points to a tragic accident. The police also confirmed this. (Read more below the photo)

From euphoria to great sadness

Everyone at the football club who knew Pascal is devastated. “The euphoria of the championship celebration has made way for great sadness and modesty within our beautiful club,” said KSV Diksmuide. “This morning we received the dramatic news that the father of our club icon and former captain Kenneth – who kicked off the match against Ardooie yesterday together with José De Cauwer and his son – died last night on the way home from the championship celebration.” (Read more below the photo)

“Immense sadness has taken hold of everyone involved in KSV Diksmuide. Pascal (56) was a sweet, warm guy. A real teddy bear who had a hug and a kind word for everyone. Blue black and blue yellow at heart. A proud dad, a proud father-in-law and a loving grandfather. We already miss Pascal. Life at De Pluimen has come to a standstill.” Captain Aaron Vandendriessche also reacted excitedly. “The downer is immense. Football and such a championship title suddenly become a total side issue. The blow is extremely hard for Kenneth. Joy and sadness are eerily close to each other. We, along with the entire club, sympathize with him and his family.”

Karl Vannieuwkerke, sports commentator and active at KSV Diksmuide, also reacted enthusiastically. He did this live on TV, during the broadcast of Gent-Wevelgem on VRT1. “During the championship match you had a long chat with Pascal,” he said to co-commentator José De Cauwer, who kicked off on Saturday evening. “We sympathize very much with the family.”

(Daron Mertens and Jelle Houwen)