Mother and daughter die in holiday tragedy abroad

THE family of an Amanzimtoti woman and her mother, who died after a tragic off-road buggy accident while on holiday abroad, is seeking funds to bring their ashes back home.

Cheryl Huyser (45) and her mother, Vivian Gerber (61), who lived in the United Kingdom, planned a holiday trip to Lanzarote, one of the Canary Islands in Spain, to reunite and spend quality time together after not seeing each other for almost 10 years. Tragedy struck on May 15 when the mother and daughter duo were in a fatal buggy accident.

Also read: Land ownership problems hinder investment

According to an article by Canarian Weekly, a news service for the Canary Islands, they plunged down a 20m drop into a ravine onto rocks after losing control of the vehicle. “All relevant authorities were on the scene, in an area that was difficult to access. They could not save the mother’s life, who died on impact,” it read.

At the time of the accident, Huyser was in critical condition and taken to the José Molina Orosa Hospital in Arrecife before succumbing to her injuries three days later.

Despite the news reports, family and friends say they know them well enough to know they would not speed or drive recklessly. Alta Erasmus, a close friend of Huyser, said the cause of the accident is still under investigation, and they are awaiting a police report.

Also read: Amanzimtoti Civic Centre Gardens not for motorbike riders [LETTER]

Since the accident, Huyser’s oldest sister and Gerber’s daughter, Sandra Bradley, started a GoFundMe campaign to help raise the necessary funds.

“We are trying to raise the funds needed to help with funeral costs and to get our mom’s ashes to the United Kingdom and my sister’s ashes to South Africa. We are not ones to ask for this kind of help, but we have been blindsided in a way no family should ever be.”

Bradley said her mother and sister were always close, and both worked in the international moving/relocating industry. “They had daily contact, but it was hard for her to be away from family, especially our mom who had a terminal lung condition. This was their first holiday together,” said Bradley.

Also read: Ratepayers in eThekwini expect better municipal services [LETTER]

Erasmus, who is also co-founder of Hearts of Toti, said the whole situation is heartbreaking. “Cheryl had been looking forward to this holiday for so long because she hadn’t seen her daughter, sisters and mother for years. It just doesn’t seem real,” she said.

Over the years, Huyster has played an integral role in Hearts of Toti. “She dedicated her spare time to helping others, organising and collaborating on the daily running of the non-profit organisation. Her laughter and bubbly personality is going to be sorely missed by the whole team. She was truly an asset to the community,” said Erasmus.

Gerber leaves behind her four brothers, three children and 11 grandchildren. Huyser leaves her two sisters, a brother, two children and partner behind.

To make a donation, visit the GoFundMe page Mother and Daughter killed in Lanzarote accident.

DID YOU KNOW?

Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics. To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 061 694 6047.

Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom at 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.

(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)