Boy (13) will live through others
A mother will take comfort in knowing her 13-year-old son's organs will give life to other people.
Sheila Erasmus said her son, Michael Bester, had already saved at least five lives by Monday morning through his organs.
“I take comfort, because that keeps his legacy going,” Erasmus told the City Times.
Michael died on July 24, after he was knocked off his bicycle the previous day, on Benoni Road.
The Belvedere School pupil was riding home from school on July 23, when a car collided with him.
According to Sheila, a car swerved out of her son’s way and he was struck by the car travelling behind the vehicle that swerved out of the way.
Michael was at rugby practise and was en route to his home in Fairleads when the accident occurred – about 2km from his destination.
“Paramedics arrived at the scene and found the child lying on the ground and bystanders busy performing CPR on him,” said Netcare 911 spokesperson Santi Steinmann.
“Paramedics continued with resuscitation and, as soon as vital signs were noticed, the critically injured child was rushed to hospital under the constant care of an advanced life support paramedic.”
Paramedics said the bicycle was in three pieces following the accident.
He was on life support until his death and was declared brain dead.
The mother said she spoke to the driver who crashed into Michael.
“He asked whether God will be able to forgive him for what happened,” said Sheila.
“My response was that God already forgave him.
“He should forgive himself, because that was God’s way of taking his angel.”
Sheila spent a moment with her son in hospital on Friday, after his organs had been removed.
She said her son was an angel.
“Michael had a heart of gold and that is what he would have done (organ donation),” she said.
“It is heart-breaking; I don’t know how I’ll cope, but he will be my guardian angel.”
A staff member at Belvedere School said Michael will be missed.
“Michael was one of those children who came into the school who crept into our hearts,” said the school’s head of department (HOD) for educational guidance, Werner Prinsloo.
“He was a very gentle, placid boy with good manners.
“He was a joy to see and to work with.”
Prinsloo said the school’s four rugby teams, who played in their respective league finals on July 25, wore black arm bands to pay tribute to their peer.
Michael leaves behind his mother, step-father Barend and siblings CJ (9) and Mishka (5) Erasmus.
The funeral was due to be held on July 31.
The venue had not been decided on by Monday morning.
