A 27-year-old community service doctor from Strandfontein is slowly beginning his recovery journey after surviving a serious car accident that saw his vehicle plunge 50 metres down a cliff in Mpumalanga.
Dr Ezra Seth Yorke, from, was travelling from Mashishing to Mbombela in dense mist when his vehicle veered off the road. Trapped inside the wreckage and drifting in and out of consciousness, he was airlifted to Rob Ferreira Hospital’s neurosurgical unit with traumatic brain injuries, including bleeding and swelling on the brain.
A doctor’s calling
Those closest people to Ezra say medicine was never just a career choice.
“In Grade 7 he dressed up as a doctor for career day,” his family shares. “By Grade 12, when we took him to university open days, he only wanted to visit the medicine stall. His mind was made up.”
Known for his quiet dedication whilst serving communities in Limpopo, Ezra was described as someone who “takes pride in his work, works longer hours if needed and has compassion and empathy towards his patients”.
His family says he would never leave a shift until every patient had been seen, and would personally escort patients for X-rays when porters were unavailable.
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Progress in recovery
Since the accident, Ezra has made encouraging progress. He was moved from ICU to the Neuro Ward, where he began speech and physiotherapy.
“He now speaks basic sentences in a whisper,” his family shared. Though still unsteady, he is walking again — a milestone that once felt uncertain.
This week, Yorke was discharged from Rob Ferreira Hospital and will return to Cape Town for specialised neuro-rehabilitation care.
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Community support
The family launched the Dollars4DrEzra campaign on BackaBuddy to assist with medical expenses, helicopter transfer costs, rehabilitation, and relocation expenses.
In 21 days, the campaign raised more than R237 000 from 356 donors, reaching 79% of its R300 000 goal.
“The response was overwhelming, especially the amount donated in the first 24 hours,” his family says. “It really warmed our hearts to see how the support and donations grew hourly.”
Beyond financial assistance, prayer vigils and encouraging messages have sustained the family through the ordeal.
Whilst doctors caution that neurological rehabilitation may take months or possibly years, the family remains hopeful.
“We believe his recovery is in God’s hands,” they say.
. To support Dr Ezra Seth Yorke’s recovery journey visit https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/dollars4drezra
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