SALDANHA – After weeks of uncertainty, hope has sprung eternal for Saldanha resident Stephan Weyers and his family following a lengthy spell in an induced coma after brain surgery to repair injuries sustained in a bad road accident on Wednesday 2 September.

The accident occurred on the R45 near the Elandsfontein Mine, when a heavy object from a truck struck through the windscreen of the vehicle Stephan was travelling in.

According to wife Kristal she said goodbye to her husband before he left for work with a colleague that morning.

“I told him to drive safely, gave him a hug and kiss, and he left. Later I got a call from the colleague and found it strange; why would he call and not Stephan?” On seeing she had a missed call from her husband she returned it immediately.

The family’s rock

“I called him, and all he said was ‘There has been an accident, phone medical.’ Then his phone went off.”

Kristal rushed to the scene, where she was confronted with the devastating sight of her seriously injured husband. “Arriving on the scene and seeing my husband in that state felt like my whole world crashing down. He has been my everything, my rock for 24 years. It was difficult to see him like that.”

Stephan was rushed to hospital, where he was stabilised before undergoing brain surgery due to the severity of his injuries. Afterwards he was placed in an induced coma to facilitate his healing.

After weeks of waiting and uncertainty Stephan briefly opened his eyes on Wednesday 23 September.

According to Kristal he was awake for only a few seconds before falling asleep again, but the moment gave the family renewed hope.

On Sunday 27 September she spoke to her husband for the first time since the accident.

For the Weyers’ two young children, Hayleigh and Alexander, seeing their father in such a critical condition has also been difficult to process.

Medical expenses, back-a-buddy campaign

Kristal said Stephan has always been the main provider for their family and takes pride in caring for his loved ones.

With medical expenses, everyday living costs and the need for ongoing after-care and rehabilitation the family now faces a difficult road ahead.

In an effort to support the family two of the Weyers’ friends, Liam and Loné Liebenberg, have started a Back-a-Buddy fundraising campaign.

A fundraising target of R85 000 has been set to help ease some of the unexpected financial pressure the family is facing during Stephan’s recovery.

Kristal expressed her gratitude to Liam and Loné for creating the fundraising platform and to everyone who has contributed and supported the family so far.

“I am grateful, thankful and speechless by the support it has received so far. If anything, it just shows how much he means to people.”

To contribute to the cause visit backabuddy.co.za/campaign/standing-with-stephan-his-family