Rae Braun (10) is fighting for her life in Port Shepstone Regional Hospital after a motor vehicle accident claimed the lives of her father, Clint (39) and her sister, Alexus (12) on the morning of  Friday, April 22.

Clint had taken his girlfriend, Scarlet van Rensburg, to work and was on the way to drop his daughters off at Port Shepstone Senior Primary when the accident occurred on the R620 in Uvongo.

When emergency services arrived they found that Clint had lost control of the vehicle, left the road and smashed into a tree.

Paramedics and rescue services who attended the crash scene described it as one that has left them ‘traumatised’.

Ray Nkonyeni Fire and Rescue services had to free the Clint and Alexus using specialised vehicle rescue equipment. Rae was taken to hospital by ambulance.

According to Clint’s cousin, Kerryn-Rae Steyn, it is believed he hit a massive water patch on the road (caused by a broken water pipe), causing him to veer off the road and crash into the trees.

A Facebook page has been started called: ‘Pray for Rae‘ – where Kerryn-Rae is keeping the community updated on Rae’s condition, and how one can support the family financially.

The most recent update on Saturday said that Rae was responding well.

“Hospital staff are keeping an eye on the bleeding on her brain and will transfer her to Albert Luthuli Hospital in Durban if need be. It seems the blood clots are breaking down due to the medication and this is wonderful news. She will have to learn to walk again, and she’s going in for an x-ray to see if her ankle is broken as she’s complaining it’s sore.”

Kerryn-Rae, who fondly was called ‘my cuz’ by Clint, said the memories of their lives bring a flood of pain and hurt to her.

She described Alexus as being a very caring and loving girl who looked after and cared for Rae as her older sister.

The girls lost their mother, Joanne Braun suddenly last month (March 30) due to cancer.

“She died within a week of being diagnosed. Her death came as a shock, especially to the girls,” said Kerryn-Rae.

Rae’s birthday was in the beginning of April, shortly after her mother’s death.

Rae now faces another life-changing tragedy – the loss of her father and sister.

“As Rae is still fighting for her life, we will tell her about her father and sister once she is ‘out of the woods’. The news might set her back,” explained Kerryn-Rae.

The little girl has no-one left in her family, and Kerryn-Rae explained that Rae would most likely go stay with her grandmother (Clint’s mother), Anthea Britz. Clint was Anthea’s only child.