Family devastated as survivor (4) asks for her mother, brother killed in crash

The Cook family. From left: Marcel, Liora, Natalia and Matthew.

NEARLY two weeks after a devastating crash robbed a Boksburg family of a young mother and her toddler, their loved ones are still waiting for answers.

The father is still in a critical condition, while the couple’s daughter is recovering in hospital.

Natalia Cook, 25, and her 18-month-old toddler, Matthew, died at the scene of the crash on August 30. It is alleged that another car slammed into the family’s vehicle as they were turning into their residential complex in Salfin, Boksburg. 

Natalia’s husband, Marcel, 27, suffered severe brain injuries and remains in critical condition at Alberton Hospital, while their four-year-old daughter, Liora, suffered broken bones and recently woke from an induced coma.

Natalia’s family only became aware of the crash the following day after a friend who was passing the scene alerted them.

The family had spent the Sunday together having their usual lunch before Natalia, Marcel and their children left to return home. 

Natalia’s sister-in-law, Katheeja Chetty, said Liora’s recovery had brought some hope to the family, but the little girl continued to ask for her mother.

She is not aware that her mom died in the crash.

“Liora is finally awake but is constantly asking for her mum. We were told not to tell her as yet. Marcel is critical and we are waiting on doctors to tell us what next,” said Chetty.

Chetty said Liora remained in considerable pain and was struggling to come to terms with what had happened.

According to Chetty, Liora was expected to remain in hospital for at least another two weeks before the family assesses the next steps in her recovery.

“Unfortunately, Marcel is still in critical condition and we are not allowed to see him. We only wait for updates from the doctors because his injuries are severe,” she said.

For the family, watching Liora repeatedly ask for her mother has been particularly painful.

“It is heartbreaking when we go every day to see Liora and she cries for her mum. It is devastating to see what a little child is going through,” said Chetty.

But alongside their concern for Marcel and Liora, the family was increasingly frustrated by what they described as a lack of information about the investigation.

Chetty said no arrest had been made and the family was yet to receive meaningful updates from police.

“When my husband went to the police station to make enquiries, we were told that the person who caused the accident came by to give his statement,” she said.

“We are still trying to cope as a family and some of us are going for counselling, especially after Liora woke up. We really thought that the man responsible would have been arrested by now. We really need justice to prevail,” said Chetty.