A crowdfunding campaign has been created for Mar-Louise (29) and André Pretorius (31) from Howick, Kwa-Zulu Natal, who were involved in serious accident at Karkloof Falls on Saturday 6th October 2018 whist enjoying a day out with their son Liam (3).
Whilst taking in the scenery, André wondered too close to the edge of the cliff and was cautioned by his wife, Mar-Louise to come back. André then lost his balance, Mar-Louise, thinking fast, handed her son Liam to a friend to grab Andre’s hand. The pair then fell approximately 35m onto the rocks below, sustaining serious injuries.
The pair was then admitted into ICU at Medi-clinic Hospital in Pietermaritzburg. Mar-Louise, suffered a fractured skull, a broken collarbone, multiple bruises, and cuts to her face. Andre fractured his skull, damaged his lungs and suffered internal bleeding.
Due to extensive bleeding, André was induced into a coma where doctors had to remove his spleen and drill a hole in his skull to drain the excess fluid.
“This has been the most traumatic time of our lives. As a family we have been through so much, but I never would have imagined finding ourselves in this situation that almost took our lives. I wish I could have done something to stop André from falling.” – says Mar-Louise
Mar-Louise is making steady progress and has been moved to Grey’s Hospital, where she will undergo an eye operation on Thursday, 18thof October to remedy a pinched nerve in her eye. She will also start receiving physiotherapy this week to help with her broken hip and shoulder.
The extent of André’s head injuries are still unknown, doctors have since stopped the sedation medication and now are waiting for Andre to wake up on his own.
“I’m thankful to be alive and to be there for our son, but I spend every day in fear that my husband won’t wake up from his coma or that he won’t be the same again. He’s such a strong person and I don’t know how I would make it without him” – Mar-Louise
With no medical aid and medical costs exceeding R380 000, friends of the family Kayleen Esterhuizen (29) and Angela Woodhouse (35) set up a campaign on donations based crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy to appeal to the public to support the couple, during this difficult time.
The campaign went live on the 15th of October and has thus far raised R 95 254.32 with contributions from 43 donors.
“Mar-Louise and André would do anything to help a person in need, they are such a loving and caring family. We are so happy the public have supported our BackaBuddy campaign and cannot wait to see them back home and reunited with their son, Liam”– says Kayleen Esterhuizen
The Pretorius family has been overwhelmed by the support they have received.
“The last few days have shown us just how much we have to be grateful for. We have received so much generosity and kindness from people we don’t even know and it has really united our family. The messages of support and donations to our BackaBuddy fund have not been taken for granted, it has really been a source of comfort during a very difficult time. I would like to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for what they have done for us” – says Mar-Louise
If you would like to donate towards André and Mar-Louise’s medical costs you can do so on Backabuddy here
Alternatively make use of this snapcode to donate:
For more information please contact info@backabuddy.co.za
