The family of 16-year-old Lakeisha Kleinwort is facing an uncertain and costly road ahead after she was seriously injured in a crash on the R61 between Munster and Palm Beach on September 9.

Lakeisha, a learner at Port Shepstone High, was among several schoolchildren travelling home to Port Edward that afternoon when the crash occurred.

Eyewitness Helen Ueckermann said she was driving on the R61 to Uvongo when the accident took place right before her eyes. She watched as the vehicle lost control, crossed the road, struck a barrier and overturned.

Lakeisha was thrown from the vehicle and landed on the road.

She was initially taken to Netcare Margate Hospital before being transferred to Port Shepstone Regional Hospital, where she remains in a critical condition.

Her family said doctors are waiting for the swelling on her brain to subside before they can fully assess her condition. She is awake but confused, in considerable pain, and cries frequently.

She suffered a cracked skull, bleeding in the brain, and a broken collar bone which punctured her lung. Doctors are also assessing a neck injury, with the family awaiting further information about possible surgery.

She is experiencing difficulty hearing and has pain in her ear, which the family believes may be linked to the swelling.

For her parents, Ruth and Nathan, the emotional trauma is compounded by the financial burden.

The family does not have medical aid and is travelling about 100km each day to visit Lakeisha, often making the journey twice a day.

Relatives have travelled from Johannesburg to support them, adding further costs.

The family also does not have a vehicle of their own.

Ruth said they were initially lent a vehicle by Nathan’s kind employer, but when it broke down, his employer arranged another bakkie to help them continue travelling to the hospital.

Lakeisha’s cellphone was destroyed in the crash and, once she can return home, the family expects she will need homeschooling, a computer, trauma counselling and extensive aftercare.

The couple expressed their sincere gratitude to everyone who has already donated and supported them during this difficult time.

At this stage, the family simply does not know what the future holds.

Lakeisha’s best friend, Jessica Goosen, and her mother, Joan, have started a BackaBuddy campaign to assist Lakeisha and her family with the costs of her recovery.

“Every contribution, no matter how small, can help ease the burden on a family focused on one thing – getting Lakeisha home,” said Joan.

“Please help contribute, if you can, to assist Lakeisha’s family in paying the bills for her recovery,” said Helen.

Support Lakeisha and her family through the BackaBuddy campaign: BackaBuddy campaign – Help Lakeisha.

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