UPDATE: Car crash victim saves life through organ donation

WHEN car crash victim Wayne Nel is laid to rest today (Thursday), he will live on not just in the memories of his loved ones, but through his organs harvested to save the lives of others.

Wayne passed away tragically following an accident on the John Ross Parkway on 26 September.

‘We as a family decided a few years ago to be organ donors,’ said Wayne’s father, Freddie.

‘There was a long process to follow to get the donor foundation informed and to begin the harvesting process, which took time as certain procedures had to be adhered to.

‘Wayne’s passing saved several other parents’ children.’

Accident details

Freddie also shed light on the accident itself.

‘After being with friends at the waterfront Wayne, with Malcolm Faught as passenger, turned right at the Croc Rock robot to proceed to the filling station in Meerensee.

‘Wayne was driving slowly as the car was running low on fuel, decided to overtake a car in front of him and sped up to pass.

‘As he shifted from second gear to drive, the vehicle appeared to malfunction.

‘It started running sideways and when the power came on, the car spun and hit the pavement and kept on skidding over the grass and down the embankment,’ said Freddie.

‘The car went back over front, hitting the ground several times, and it landed on Wayne’s side.

‘The driver door was ripped off and pushed under the vehicle, exposing Wayne to impact on the open side; his head hit the deck, causing the severe injuries.

‘Although the windscreen was flung out, both of them were still in the car.

‘Malcolm told me Wayne was concerned about the fuel smell and shouted that they must get out of the vehicle and they escaped through the front windscreen area.

‘Wayne managed to crawl about 15 metres from the car before collapsing. He briefly regained consciousness when the ambulance arrived.

‘At the hospital, standard protocol was followed for severe head trauma until he was declared brain dead at 6.50pm on 28 September.

‘He left the earth with a dash of speed, the way he would have wanted it to be – fast and furious.’

*The memorial service will take place at the NG Kerk Arboretum at 11am today (Thursday).