Farmer injured in crash to undergo surgery
Brits has a fractured neck vertebra and two neck vertebrae were badly damaged.
A farmer from Apiesrivier Valley in the north of Pretoria was seriously injured in an accident on 5 May.
Theo Brits was rushed to hospital in a serious condition after two vehicles collided on Lavender Road and the R101, near the Casbah roadhouse.
“Our hearts are broken, we have our ups and downs, but we have to stay strong. We are positive, we have to stay strong for him,” Brits’ wife Alta told Rekord.
Brits, who had been travelling in his father’s bakkie, was initially taken to Steve Biko hospital but was transferred to the Pretoria East hospital after an anonymous donation by a good Samaritan.
At the Pretoria East hospital, Brits underwent a series of tests that showed he had suffered a serious neck and back injury in the accident.
Brits has a fractured neck vertebra and two neck vertebrae were badly damaged.
His back vertebrae were also injured.
Brits would soon undergo an operation by a neurosurgeon at the hospital to repair his neck.
One of his damaged vertebrae would be removed, after which screws would be placed in his back.
The back operation would, however, only take place once Brits’ neck has healed and he is strong enough to lie on his stomach for the surgery.
In the meanwhile, Brits’ friends and family have taken hands to raise funds for him.
It was estimated that Brits’ medical costs, rehabilitation, debt and adapting his house to make it wheelchair friendly would cost about R1-million.
“I do not have the final figures of how much the operations will cost,” said Alta.
“I have, however, started budgeting since he will also not be able to work for the coming few months.”
A Facebook page, Theo Brits Hulp Fonds, has been opened to help raise funds.
It will also provide updates on his recovery.
Alta said they have a big support system and thanked everybody for the help.
“I just want to him back home,” she concluded.
READ MORE: WATCH: Two injured in Erasmia accident
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