A mum has shared the horrifying moment she nearly lost her two young children in a car fire.
Chrisna Verwey left her kids in the vehicle while quickly popping into the shop for bread and milk – only to return minutes later to find the vehicle ablaze and the little ones trapped inside.
The 33-year-old’s daughter, Mianey, aged five, and son Luandré, three, were eventually freed and rushed to a children’s hospital with severe third-degree burns.
They had to spend three months in hospital, undergoing multiple skin grafts.
“The doctors were uncertain about Luandrë’s lungs, which were extremely weak,” Chrisna told Need To Know.
“And then Mianey’s lungs collapsed shortly afterwards.
“They thought [the kids] wouldn’t make it.
“I know I shouldn’t have left my children in the car – it’s a judgement error I will regret for the rest of my life.
“[When I saw them trapped in the fire], I screamed so much.
“I literally thought my children were dead.”
Luandré suffered burns on 45% of his body and sustained damage to his airways.
Mianey lost part of her ear and now only has six fingers.
Mianey is also on medication to help her to cope with the trauma, while Luandré is currently undergoing speech therapy.
The incident took place just over a year ago and Chrisna is now sharing her story to warn other parents.
The mum headed to the store early on the morning of Sunday 27 August 2023.
Not many people were around on the street and she could see her children’s faces from the store window the entire time.
Just as Chrisna was about to pay, a vehicle guard ran in to alert her that her car was on fire.
The cause of the fire is not known but the mum claims she was told that it may have been due to the wiring of the radio.
The trauma has left lasting scars on the family, both physical and emotional.
For a long time, Chrisna, from Gordon’s Bay, South Africa, couldn’t bear to look at photos of her children from before the accident.
She said: “I had to bring my broken children home.
“It was difficult and raw, but we’ve made it through.
“I’ve forgiven myself and made peace with the fact that it really was an accident.
“But there are times when I blame myself again – when I think that I haven’t completely forgiven myself.
“I see them [my kids] the same, both then and now.
“They’re still beautiful to me.”
After they were discharged from hospital, the mum gave up her job as a preschool teacher so that she could take care of her family.
With the help of her own mum, Bessie Cooks, Chrisna has dedicated her life to providing round-the-clock care for her children.
To make ends meet, the mum – who is now fearful of driving – also started a side hustle, selling clothing and other items online.
Despite their challenges, Chrisna is hopeful that her kids can still live a normal life one day.
They have already made friends in preschool and attend counselling with their mum.
Chrisna said: “In the beginning, I had to hide my feelings until [the kids] were asleep.
“Now we can cry, talk and laugh together without hiding our emotions.
“They have the most incredible personalities – sometimes they’re stronger than I am.
“My dream for them is to go on with their lives like normal people.
“I’m sure they’ll bloom out there [in the world] one day and make a difference. I have no doubt about it.”
READ MORE: Unicyclist, 25, had skull part ‘stored’ in abdomen after nasty accident to reduce brain swelling
