FAMILY TRAGEDY: Tabitha Garay died at the scene of the Coomba car crash on July 9 while her sister Madalyn (right) is currently at Westmead Children’s Hospital.
ROADSIDE MEMORIAL: The site of the crash on Coomba Road.
FRIENDS of the Baulkham Hills family devastated by the double fatal car crash at Coomba on July 9 have launched a public appeal for funds.
75-year-old Jane Garay (who preferred to use her middle name Maria) was on her way to Coomba Park for the school holidays with her granddaughters Madalyn and Tabitha when their pink Daihatsu Sirion left Coomba Road and collided with a tree.
Ten-year-old Tabitha Garay died at the scene. Maria, from Cammeray in Sydney, was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital but later died. 12-year-old Madelyn Garay was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a coma.
Madalyn has since awoken from her coma and was flown to Westmead Children’s Hospital for more surgery on July 21.
She is now in a serious but stable condition at Westmead. Police are yet to pinpoint what caused the crash after examinations of the site and an autopsy failed to shed light on the cause.
An inspection of the vehicle is scheduled for later this week.
A friend of the family contacted the Great Lakes Advocate last week to notify Great Lakes residents of the ‘Tabba and Maddy Garay Appeal’ which is being driven largely by parents, students and staff of Tabitha and Madelyn’s school Excelsior Public.
The appeal hopes to relieve the pressure of everyday living, medical and rehabilitation costs with Madelyn’s parents still confined to her bedside.
The friend also reported that there were no plans, as yet, for Tabitha’s funeral as the family wishes to wait until Madelyn is well enough to attend.
Coordinators have set up a Facebook page for the appeal and are asking for financial donations or donations of products that can be used in ongoing raffle and auction efforts.
You can donate to the Tabba and Maddy Garay Appeal through direct deposit into the following account: Commonwealth Bank, account name: Tabba and Maddy Garay Appeal, BSB:062336, account number: 10311954.
For further details email: garayappeal@optusnet.com.au or call: 0412716716.
