Mum's harrowing account after her 'sweet' son dies in car crash
A Perth mother has described the moment her six-year-old son lost his life in a horrifying car crash in the city’s south.
Jackson Donovan was killed when his family van was rear ended at an intersection in East Rockingham on Friday.
“Everything went white,” Klara Donovan wrote in a heartbreaking Facebook post, detailing how she was behind the wheel with Jackson and his sister Rosie in the back seat.
“I was so confused until I realised we’d just been hit really hard and all the airbags had deployed around me.”
The van was pushed into a bus and two more cars, causing the vehicle to spin out before it finally came to a stop.
With just a sore wrist herself, Ms Donovan thought everyone was ok.
“I thought, ‘if I’m ok it wasn’t that bad’,” she said, “I called out ‘everyone okay?’.”
But while Rosie started screaming, Jackson’s silence was deafening.
“Jackson was quiet and I was honestly so confused as to why he didn’t answer until I saw him.”
The family was told he died on impact.
Ms Donovan had just picked her son up from school and was feeling “so happy” heading into the weekend with her family, when the incident occurred at the intersection of Dixon and Mandurah roads.
Little Jackson was flown to Perth Children’s Hospital where his parents faced their worst nightmare, deciding to switch off his life support 28 hours later.
“Chris and I can’t wrap our heads around how everything has just stopped,” she wrote on Facebook.
“His love of video games.. His keenness for reading.. His joyful little friendships. His love for his sisters.. His Paw Patrol onesie.. Sneaking into our bed at night.
“We will never get any of it back and we are gutted.
“Rosie won’t even remember the brother who knew how to make her laugh long before anyone else could.. Everley has lost her best friend and wild play mate.
“We have lost the most awesome, fun, hilarious, smart, sweet kid. We are devastated beyond words.
“Jackson, we love you so much. We are so sorry you couldn’t stay longer with us.”
No charges have yet been laid over the crash, which also saw a 64-year-old man taken to hospital.
He has since been released.
Police are investigating whether a driver involved in the incident may have had a medical episode.
Close family and friends have since set up a GoFundMe page to help the Donovan’s through this “unfathomable time”
So far more than $27,000 has been raised for unexpected funeral costs and loss of work.
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Many of those who’ve pledged their support have also left heartfelt messages for the family in remembrance of their “beautiful boy.”
“So deeply saddened to hear of your terrible loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you,” one person wrote.
“Jackson was such a gorgeous big brother,” another said, “sending lots of love and strength to you during this incredibly hard time.”
“Rest in Peace beautiful Jackson,” someone added. “You and your family are very much loved by so many.”
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