[UPDATE] A ray of light as help pours in from community for braai accident victims
Jaco and Marius were badly burned in a freak accident during the weekend. An update on their condition leaves hope for their recovery.
It has been almost five days since Marius Mathee and Jaco Badenhorst sustained critical burn injuries in a freak accident. Now it seems that the light is starting to shine through this dark cloud.
On Saturday evening, 18 May, Jaco, 14, was standing at the braai with his brother-in-law, Marius, when Marius was lighting wood to keep them and their guests warm.
Marius’s fiancée, Kyla said when Marius turned around to light a firelighter, fumes from a plastic container containing a chemical substance, had escaped and exploded, setting the two on fire. Friends helped them by pushing them into the swimming pool to extinguish the flames, but they were both badly burned.
Read the initial article here:
https://www.citizen.co.za/krugersdorp-news/380077/family-needs-funds-to-get-proper-care-for-braai-accident-victim/
The News spoke to Mariette Mans, Jaco’s mother for an update on both her son-in-law and son’s condition, and she had some positive news.
She explained that Jaco, who is in Leratong Hospital, has been taken off the ventilator and the doctor is satisfied with his condition.
“He does wake up from time to time, but has been advised by the doctor not to speak because of the damage to his airways,” she said.
When they asked him if he was happy and being treated well, he showed a thumbs-up, but wanted to know if his sisters were okay. He was worried about them and wanted to know if they were hurt by the flames.
“I am very happy with the treatment Jaco is getting,” explained Mariette.
She added that doctors have established that he sustained second- and third-degree burns, and might need surgery down the road.
Marius, however, is still being sedated and is in a semi-coma to help with managing pain and the healing process. His chest was burned badly.
“The doctors say he can hear us. He moves his hands when we talk to him,” she said.
The response from the community has been overwhelming and people from all over are donating to help with the medical expenses of the two victims.
Jaco is a learner at Hoërskool Noordheuwel and the school also started a fundraiser. Anyone who wishes to contribute is requested to pay the money into the school’s account, from where it will be redistributed.
A BackaBuddy account has also been created and when this article was written more than R11 000 have been raised. You can donate by using the link https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/jaco-marius.
Jaco is a former Laerskool Kenmare learner and on Friday, 24 May, the school will have a coin-laying ceremony to raise funds for him. The learners will wear casual clothes and are free to donate if they want to.
Another organisation that has come forward to support the victims and the family, and is raising funds to help them, is the Hero Burn Foundation, calling them #HeroJaco and #HeroMarius.
Mariette said she wanted to thank everyone for the support – every person who prays, everyone who has them in their thoughts, and everyone who donated.
There is a long road ahead for this family, but it seems that it is a road of healing.
