Community Corner

Aurora Christian School Mourns 'Faithful Friend' Nate Kok

Oswego teen's classmates and teachers express condolences on social media, prayers follow.

AURORA, IL — Aurora Christian School classmates are mourning one of their own this week. Nathan Kok, a 16-year-old student, passed away Tuesday night at 7:30 from a car crash. He was in the passenger’s side of a Mazda returning from a golf tournament when the vehicle collided head-on with a Jeep just after 4:35 p.m. Tuesday.

An Aurora Christian School's Facebook post has received an outpouring of condolences from classmates and community members:

“Words cannot express how heavy our hearts are to lose one of our own. Nate Kok was a great student, committed athlete, and faithful friend who was a positive example to everyone around him. While we are grieving deeply with the Kok family and as a community, we also have peace and hope knowing that Nate is now with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We're also praying for Tyler, the Hammer family, and his medical team as he begins the healing process. We would like to thank the many people who have reached out including students, parents, law enforcement, and neighboring schools.”

(For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Find out what's happening in Aurorafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Most of the comments under the post include sending prayers.

Tyler Hammer, 17, was the driver of the Mazda 6. The crash took place on Main Street between Green Road and Bunker Road in unincorporated Kane County. The driver of the Jeep Compass was Sergio Espana, 20, of Batavia. Both men have been released from Delnor Hospital in Geneva. Kane County Sheriff's Office says the crash is under investigation.

Find out what's happening in Aurorafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Image via Shutterstock

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.