Good Morning Angels: The Gruen family needs help after car crash tragedy

BACKGROUND: Cindy and Rudi Gruen were at home while their three children, 22-year-old Keenan, 18-year-old Damian, and 9-year-old Amber went to their local shop.  

It was the evening after Damian, a matriculant, prefect, academic achiever, and first-team rugby player at Hoërskool Die Anker, went back to school for the first time since the lockdown started.  

The Gruen-children were stationary at a red traffic light, three blocks from their home, when a car crashed into them. The force and momentum of the impact were so severe, that the children’s car was hit twice by the vehicle - on the side where Damian and Amber were seated. The 38-year-old driver was arrested at the scene. It’s alleged that he was drunk. 

As a result of the impact, Damian - ‘Duimpie’ as his friends call him - was declared dead on the scene.

Nine-year-old Amber Gruen, is still in ICU in Eugene Marais Hospital, with massive injuries. She has damage to her lungs, a burst spleen, and a ruptured liver. Her legs are also badly damaged, and she would need several skin grafts. She is stable, but still in a coma. Her brain swelling has come down.

Keenan Gruen, who was driving, has back and neck injuries. He was discharged from the hospital, but he is in severe pain.

The family does not have medical aid and the state hospital advised that they were not equipped to treat Amber.

Rudi has not been earning an income since lockdown started - no-work-no-pay. Cindy transports children to  and from school for an income, which is currently not possible. The family has a funeral cover for Damian, but they have no idea what the medical cost will be to treat Amber and Keenan. Cindy says they just don’t know what the future holds and at this point, they are focusing on saving Amber’s life.

Requests for assistance for the Gruen family flooded into the Good Morning Angels mailbox, from friends, family and schools all over the East Rand.

We ask you to help us make a substantial difference in the Gruen-family’s lives, to allow them to focus on the care of their two living children and to mourn the son they lost.

REQUEST FOR: The Gruen-family 

REQUEST FROM: Many Jacaranda FM listeners including Nita de Beer and Margie Posthumus 

ANGEL 1: Paul Trumplemann from Picot and Moss 

SPONSORING: Picot and Moss have generously donated a TIME FOR GOLF bucket-list auction prize, valued at R 50 000 to benefit the Gruen-family: 

* 1 TAG Heuer Formula One Quartz Chronograph, value at R28 000 (There are six references in this collection, the client can come and chose one at our Sandton TAG Heuer Boutique and receive VIP treatment).

* 1 pair of our Exclusive McLaren Sunglasses, brand new in South Africa, value R10 000.

* 1 x 4-ball at Steyn City, including carts valued over R4000.

* Under Armour golf apparel hamper valued over R7000 (Includes golf shirt, jacket, cap, shorts, belt and golf shoes from Under Armour (Sponsored by Under Armour).

ANGEL 2: The Good Morning Angel Fund NPC

SPONSORING: The GMA Fund will kick off the auction with an opening-bid donation of R50 000 to the Gruen-family

YOU CAN DONATE: Banking detail for Cindy Du Plessis (Gruen)

NAME: C du Plessis

BANK: ABSA

ACC: 9053922349

BRANCH: 632005

REF: Ons Gee Om / We Care