Mother and daughter killed in N12 collision, daughter (6) left injured
A six-year-old learner from Laerskool President Steyn is fighting for her life after she was involved in a car accident that claimed the lives of her mother and sister.
Lianie Syffert is being treated at Netcare Clinton Hospital.
Her mother, Christeen (36), died on the accident scene and Lianie and her nine-year-old sister, Justeen, were transported to Netcare Union Hospital in critical conditions.
On January 28, Justeen died in hospital because of her severe head injuries.
“Justeen got her angel wings and went to heaven with her mum,” said Cornel Pretorius, Christeen’s sister-in-law.
Information regarding accident
Christeen picked her daughters up from her mother’s and was on their way home when the accident happened.
The RECORD spoke to the corporate communications officer of ER24, Russel Meiring, about the accident and, according to him, it happened on the N12 highway towards the N3 highway just after Voortrekker Bridge just before 19:00.
According to the ER24 statement, they arrived shortly after 19:00 and found a car, a bakkie and an SUV that had collided.
“On closer inspection, paramedics found a woman trapped inside the light motor vehicle, while two girls were lying a few metres away.
“Medics assessed the patients and found the woman was in a critical condition with rapidly diminishing vital signs, while the two girls were critical,” said Meiring.
Rescue services had to use specialised equipment to free the woman from the vehicle. Once released, medics treated the patients and provided them with advanced life support interventions.
“The woman succumbed to her injuries and was declared dead after some time.”
Once treated, the two girls were transported to a hospital for urgent care.
“This incident’s details are unknown, but authorities were on scene for further investigations.”
Injuries sustained
Justeen was admitted to the Netcare Union Hospital and had bleeding on her brain and lungs, a fractured spine and leg, and an injured liver.
She had a brain operation on January 22 to remove part of her skull to bring the brain pressure down, which was extremely high. A week later, she succumbed to her injuries.
Lianie was also transported to the Netcare Union Hospital before she was transferred to the Netcare Clinton Hospital. She has a fractured skull, an injured liver, teeth all broken, a dislocated jaw and facial cuts.
“Lianie is still under sedation to allow her body to heal. She is on a chest tube to help drain the fluid,” said Pretorius.
According to her, Lianie coughed when her father Neil visited her and she moved her arms and legs.
“This is a good sign,” said Pretorius.
Lianie’s electroencephalogram (EEG) scan showed she did not suffer any brain damage, but everything will be determined when she wakes up.
“We will not stop praying for the healing of Lianie,” said Pretorius.
Two extra angels around the throne
“Christeen and Neil were married for 11 years. She was the most loving person who always wanted to help everyone, as if it was a shoulder to cry on. She was the support pillar that kept the family together.
“We are going to miss Christeen’s smile and just everything about her. She was always so positive and giving. Her hands stood still for nothing.”
Justeen was a Grade Four learner at Laerskool President Steyn. “Gogga” was her grandmother’s nickname for her; she remembers her as a happy and kind-hearted little girl.
“Justeen liked to draw and loved mathematics. I remember how she wanted to sing and wanted me to teach her. I am going to miss being called ‘oumie’. I am going to miss her and her mother,” said Maureen van Staden.
Her Ouma Val said: “When she was little, she used to tell me: ‘Here is my heart and I give it to you, oumie. Our hearts belong to each other now’.
“I am going to miss you dearly and I will always love you, Poeps.”
Both of them will be dearly missed by so many.
“This is a tragic thing that has happened to our family. We can only trust in God to carry us through this,” said Pretorius.
Christeen and Justeen will be cremated. By the time of going to press, no final arrangements had been made.
Raising funds to pay medical bills
The family does not have medical aid, and their medical bills are piling up. Pretorius created a BackaBuddy page to negate some of the financial stress.
“If we could somehow make life just a bit easier by helping to pay the medical bills, Neil can put all of his focus on Lianie.”
The aim is to raise R1-million to cover all medical costs.
“We don’t know what the future holds and don’t know if Lianie is going to need therapy. The road is unknown.”
People can contribute via the BackaBuddy link.
“I would appreciate you sharing their link on your social media platforms so it can reach as many people as possible. Please also consider pledging a monthly donation to enable their family to pay for their medical bills,” said Pretorius.
Thank you
“First and foremost, we want to thank the Netcare Union Hospital for treating both girls and caring for Justeen till the end.
“Thank you to the Netcare Clinton Hospital for taking such good care of Lianie. Thank you also to Dr Schultz for performing the EEG at no charge.
“Thank you to all the emergency services who assisted on the day of the accident,” Pretorius said.
On behalf of the family, thank you to every person who contributed money via the BackaBuddy page.
“Thank you for the community’s assistance and prayers. It is much appreciated.”
Witnesses sought
The family is looking for anyone who witnessed the accident on the N12 highway between a black Hyundai i10, a blue Nissan Qashqai and a Nissan NP200 that claimed the lives of a mother and her daughter.
If you have any information, contact Stoffel on 079 881 3866 or at ASyffert@gmail.com
