A Cape Town family now faces an enormous medical bill after they were involved in a tragic car accident over the festive period in Johannesburg. The Van Niekerk family was travelling on the N12 on December 28 when another vehicle knocked into the rear left side of their Jeep Grand Cherokee.
According to reports, the father Gerhard van Niekerk then lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a mountain. The family was travelling with their two sons, Gregory four and Luke who was eight weeks old.
However, Luke was declared brain dead just after 11 pm that evening, while his father Gerhard and brother Gregory suffered minor injuries from the crash, his mother Madelein also suffered multiple serious injuries.
Reports suggested that Madelein injured her leg, shoulder, nose, cheekbone, and ribs, however, after further scans and x-rays the doctors then concluded that she had also broken her elbow, ankle and her C2 and C3 neck vertebrae as well.
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Since leaving the ICU, Madelein’s elbow has been operated on, and a procedure on her ankle will be performed once her swelling has subsided, and she is stable enough to be transported back to Cape Town. The injury to her neck is known as a ‘stable break’, fortunately, no operation is required. Her nose, cheekbone, and ribs will also heal with time, doctors confirmed.
Meanwhile, a Backabuddy campaign has been launched to help the Van Niekerk’s cover their medical bills, the family have already raised R18 000 with contributions from 45 donors both locally and abroad. The additional funds raised will also be used to cover the costs of Luke’s funeral, and the physical, emotional, and psychological treatment they will need to heal from this life-changing ordeal.
“We as a family would like to thank each and every person for their prayers, support, donations, and sharing our story! I would like to urge everyone, spend time with their loved ones, tell them you love them.
“It cannot be replaced and memories are all we have in the end. I had a very special bond with my boy, Luke, in the short time God lent him to us, we loved him so much! We will miss him – every day. Also, drive safely and be alert on the roads – our life was changed in an instant,” Gerhard said.
To support the Van Niekerk family in their time of need, the community is urged to make any donation via the Backabuddy crowdfunding campaign.
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Two people killed, 12 injured after taxi crashes on N1 in the Western Cape
Picture: Supplied
