Mother feels empty after losing family
Survivors still have nightmares from the accident that robbed six people of their lives.
A mother who lost two of her children, three grandchildren and husband in an accident the day before Mother’s Day says she is struggling to come to terms with their death.
The accident occurred in May when 10 people were crammed in a car when returning from a gathering in Newlands.
“When I close my eyes, I still see my children lying in the sand,” Leanne Muller said.
She said having to identify her family at the mortuary was like watching a horror movie.
“The first time I went to the mortuary, they weren’t cleaned up and didn’t have makeup on.
“When I went back the Friday they looked like people I know,” Muller said.
She said she doesn’t know what the service was about at the funeral because she kept hoping it was a dream.
“My mind wasn’t there, it’s like the funeral wasn’t happening.
“I’m empty inside, I miss them so much and the house is very quiet,” Muller said.
Survivors of the accident say they too have nightmares since the accident.
Elsa Plaatjies says she is often woken by her daughter who tries to calm her while she screams in her sleep.
“I don’t like sleeping because I see the scene of the accident,” Plaatjies said.
Bianca Stoffberg (29), one of the deceased, was eight months pregnant with twins.
She was buried with the pair.
The family still owe the undertakers for the funeral and are battling to settle their debt.
Muller’s husband, Clive Hare (50), daughter Stoffberg, grandchildren Sade Stoffberg (13), Morne Stoffberg (7), Kasley-anne (6) and son Timothy Hare (7) were laid to rest on the following Saturday.
