N2 crash: Young Emma recovering well

SEDGEFIELD NEWS - There is hope on the horizon for 11-year-old Emma Snyman, who was critically injured in a devastating car crash on the N2 near Sedgefield on 26 May.

At the time of the accident Emma was urgently transferred between three hospitals before being airlifted to Red Cross Children's Hospital in Cape Town, where she received life-saving care.

After months of intensive medical care and rehabilitation, Emma is now making remarkable progress in her recovery.

According to a close family friend, Werner Bronkhorst, there is a good chance that Emma may regain full mobility in her neck. Her jaw has also healed significantly, to the point where she is now able to start chewing food again.

Additionally, her clavicle and brain injuries have shown strong recovery.

"She's talking well and, noticeably, she now has more self-confidence."

However, he noted that the left side of her face remains damaged. "We don't yet know if plastic surgery will be able to repair it over time," he added.

A BackaBuddy fundraising campaign set up to assist the family has raised about R380 000, of which the family got R350 000 after fees paid to BackaBuddy.

"On behalf of the Snyman family, who do not have medical aid, we would like to thank everyone who contributed, no matter how small the donation. These funds have been like manna from heaven. It's going to be a long road to recovery," Bronkhorst said.

Emma has now returned to Seabridge School in Sedgefield, but is only attending for select subjects and just two hours a day as she continues to regain her strength.

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