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A fathers worse nightmare!! A precious daughter taken, and a precious daughter fighting for her life, From one accident.

  • Jason’s update: Sunmaras funeral tomorrrow

      19 December 2019

    Hi everyone. I’d like to say a few words so here we go - I am concerned for our community youth after our farewell to Sunmara on Friday. Because of my concern I’d like you all to respect my wishes, please no cell phones during the service or at the cemetery when we put our soldier to rest. The last thing I want is some of our youth feeling down later in the night and looking back at videos of the service. A complete ban on cell phone recording. I’d also like parents or caregivers to be aware of your teenagers needs and support them to and after the service on Friday during the grieving process. Monitor them, monitor there alcohol consumption and monitor were they are. Please watch and look out for your kids while they grieve. If there any concern for son, daughter, friend or stranger please use the following support that has been put in place, Cat Emergency- 0800 218 219. Community support, nation wide - 0800 222 955 . All medical surgery’s in Ashburton have a support ready if needed. G.P, HI737. I know you kids need to grief, trust me I know all about it. But please, can you all be home by Saturday morning, with your parents or caregivers. We are not going to be down and out, we are not going to cry or be sad! We are going to celebrate the memories and love we had for these girls. If I can be strong then everyone else can be to. Chin up. Ashburton going to rumble on Friday. Our soldier getting a true hero’s send off.

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  • Jason’s update 16/12

      16 December 2019

    Hi everyone, so I’m waiting at the motel counting down the minutes and hours until I get the ph call to say everything sorted. Sounds like we have a 6pm flight from Auckland back to Christchurch, and then a 1 hour drive back to Ashburton. Am bringing my baby home tonight. I would like to give my biggest thank you to Auckland, what can I say, to the nurses and drs at middle more hospital for all there support - to the total strangers that have messaged me and sent such kind words and offered accommodation. A really big thank you to all the staff at the 540 motel who were just so amazing to me through out this time. They made a wonderful birthday cake for Sunmaras birthday and filled our room with balloons as a surprise for us. Even a wonderful breakfast in bed. If anyone from the South Island ever coming to Auckland I honestly truly recommend the 540 motel. Such a wonderful family felt place to stay. Also a thank you to the Cave tattoos, just up from road from 540, who very kindly printed my daughters name on my skin so I can forever have there names with me. Thank you so much guys. I also hope that everyone signs the petition to now get the summit road in port hills made safer, let my daughters death not be in vain, no more deaths on that road. Another thank you to Caroline- thank you my new friend for your support and caring nature ( even if you are a reporter) . See you around 9ish Ashburton, the soilder is coming home.

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  • Jason’s Update 14/12

      14 December 2019

    As you can imagine, today has been a very very hard day. I honestly don’t know what’s worse, being told your daughter has died in a car accident and that’s that, or having to watch your daughter die infront of your eyes. I would honestly rather do the the first one. It was a lot easier with tayla, as hard as it was I knew she didn’t suffer. Sunmara was so bloody hard, watching her body getting taken bit by bit and then have the heart ache of watching her take her last breath is something no one should go thro. I honestly can’t believe I had to go thro both. I so hope that now mabey someone will do something about that road. Sunmara suffered so much, but hopefully not in vain. I would love to see that road sorted and more barriers up. I would also like to send Sunmara out with a bang. Any Harleys or V8 cars that would lead her hurst would be appreciated. This little soilder needs to go out with a bang and make the town of ashburton rumble as we take her to her final resting place with sister. It will be a open funeral and all is welcome. I’ll update when I sort more. Thank you all

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  • Sunmara has passed away.

      13 December 2019

    It is with great sadness I tell you this, My beautiful baby girl passed away at 8:27 tonight,

    All my love Jason, Lisa and whanau❤️

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    • 13/12/2019 by Emma

      I’m so very sorry for your loss. I hope more than anything you receive all of the support and love you need to help you through your grief. Life can be so terribly cruel. Hang in there, happier days will come your way 💕Kia kaha, you’re amazing!

    • 13/12/2019 by Carlos

      I'm so sorry for your loss Jason, I pray that you will find some sort of peace and comfort in the arms of Jesus and I hope the greaving process isn't to much for you. My family and send you huge amounts of love and may the both of your girls be at peace. My god comfort you in your darkest moments.. lots of love to you and your family

    • 15/12/2019 by Karen

      Oh how I feel for you Jason. I am so sorry for your huge loss and cannot imagine the shock, horror and profound sadness you have already endured. You must have more inner strength than perhaps you were aware of. I so hope you receive all the support you will need, at the right times, over the months and years to come and that you are able to ask for help also. You have been very much in my thoughts and without a doubt in the thoughts of many people. I pray your girls are at peace and that somehow you also are able to have times of much needed rest.

    • 15/12/2019 by Leishah

      Oh my heart breaks for you. I don’t know you and only have donated a small sum of money for you and your girls but your story touched me now having kids who drive too and can only imagine this nightmare. Sending you strength from whakatane. Take care. Leishah 💜💔🌼

  • Jason’s update 13/12

      13 December 2019

    Sunmara was taken off her life support about a hour ago, so far she’s still fighting, she’s a tough kid. Just thought I’d up date you all

    We have made her comfortable, and she has all the cards every one has kindly sent her for her birthday. It’s been a long hard fight but this was a fight she couldn’t win, there was no more they could do for her. Her injuries were just too much, I personally thank all of you for the kind words and support you have sent me. It is truly what’s kept me going, quite often when I’m feeling really Down and start losing my strength I grab my ph and read all msgs you have sent us and it has picked me up again. I will give you all a update on what time my trooper passes over. Much love and respect to you all

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  • Jason’s update 12th December

      12 December 2019

    So sitting outside the hospital just waiting, family are here, Ari, uncle Matt, Callum and Dallas plus josh. She’s put up one hell of a fight, by hell she’s put up a fight. But unfortunately it seems her battle is done. She due for surgery tomorrow again, but this time it sounds like the doctors are going to say no. There only so much they can do and from what they told me, they done what they can. Thank you for everyone’s prayers, mabey the good lord didn’t hear us, or mabey the good lord is just a fictional character in our imagination either way my baby isn’t coming home the way I wanted her to be

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    • 13/12/2019 by Debbie

      So sorry to hear all this. I'm glad you have family around. My thoughts are with you

    • 13/12/2019 by Leann

      To Sunmara, Jason and your family. I pray that you will be able to find the space and stillness within you - to be able to take life one second, one minute at a time.

    • 13/12/2019 by Vicky

      Hi. I have been reading your up dates every day thank you so much for sharing them. What a amazing dad you are. You and your daughters have been in my thoughts every day most of the day.... I keep checking for the updates and when I see them Im hoping to read good news. Your daughter sounds like a right little trooper and I hope just like you she does prove everyone wrong. It’s her 16th birthday today happy birthday to your little girl. I’m not a god person he pisses me of. But positive thinking is what I do believe in. And you have been nothing but that. I will be remaining positive for you. Words can’t describe how you must be feeling. I wish I had the powers to make everything better for you guys please hang in there try to stay positive. Sometimes doctors can be wrong. If she gives up the fight she will be with her beautiful sister and you will have them both watching over you. And you will keep living for your girls because that’s how you will keep them alive. I hope that makes sense. Stay strong xx

  • Jason’s update 11th December

      11 December 2019

    Today has been a very hard and rough day, my head isn’t in a good head space but here goes, Sunmara was in surgery yet again today, unfortunately the skin grafts they have taken from her don’t seem to be holding and taking place. Her infection isn’t getting any worse but also isn’t getting any better. The next step is at looking at taking her arm from the shoulder, one foot is also going to go and how far up the leg they cannot be certain of. No decision has been made yet of the other foot. They had to cut away some more muscle on her back that was infected. They gave it to me pretty straight this afternoon, which is the only way I want it. Basically they can’t just keep chopping off here and chopping of there, it’s not fair on her putting her through all this, they still can’t even address how bad the brain injury is yet. She’s really sick and they are now looking at the point of there nothing more they can do. They will still give her some time tho before deciding. I’m so gutted and if it comes to that I hope they at least wait till Friday so my baby can at least make it to her so called sweet 16. It’s her birthday on Friday. I can’t write no more, will keep you all updated tomorrow

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    • 12/12/2019 by Tania

      I am so sorry to read this Jason - you've been through so much and are doing such a great job with it. I'm sucking up tears reading this (I'm at work otherwise I'd be a mess!!) so I can't even begin to imagine how you're feeling. Please know I'm thinking of you and hoping for the best (whatever that looks like in this situation). I hope you've got people around who can lend a shoulder to cry on but I know you're away from home so that might be difficult. I'm in Auckland so if there's anything at all I can do for you (a shopping run so you have enough tea and coffee, deliver a home cooked meal - anything at all!), please let me know.

    • 12/12/2019 by Karen

      I cannot imagine the depth of your grief and loss Jason! There will be many people around NZ and further afield who sincerely care for you at this time. I hope you have a trusted friend to support you now and in the hours to follow and that you will not be alone.

  • Jason’s update 10th December

      10 December 2019

    It’s been taking me awhile today to want to write this post, I’m trying to keep my chin up, but it’s not easy. After talking to one of the surgeons earlier today my heart is breaking and strength is fading. Sunmara is in a very bad way, apart from her amputation to arm they have also had to cut more muscle from her body as infection is setting in. They seem to think they will need to take more off her arm and most likely one of her feet, which they can’t promise just how high on the leg they will need to go. They now have her on the highest antibiotics they have to fight the infection but unfortunately at the same time the dose will be comprising her already damaged kidney. If she can’t fight the infection off in the next 24 hours then they said she will more than likely die from her wounds. They are doing there best, but they can only do so much until there choice is to have to let her go. It breaks me to say this, I pray she proves them wrong and continues the fight.

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  • Jason’s update 10/12

      10 December 2019

    Hi everyone, Sunmara finished her surgery at 3:45am, she made it thro but it was a rough one for her. She now back in her room in a critical but stable condition. Unfortunately they have removed her arm from the elbow. They have taken some more samples of the bacteria to take back to the lab, so they still haven’t been able to deal with that yet. I will be able to tell you more when I get to have a talk with the surgeons later today

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  • Jason’s Update 9/12/2019

      9 December 2019

    Hi so I am back at the motel to try and get some rest and play the waiting game again. Sunmara surgery yesterday was very tough on her, unfortunately she was very crook and quite unstable throughout it. She has had some more of her hand removed also, it was very touch and go but she managed to make it through. Unfortunately she is back in surgery again, they need to recheck her burns and have found a bacteria in her shoulder, this bacteria is a very serious concern. It’s one they don’t come across normally and it’s one of the worst ones out, it can be quite deadly and spreads very quick. There is a high chance they will now need to amputate her arm from the shoulder to stop it spreading. Poor kid fighting so hard. Please send your prayers to her today as I think she really needs them all

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    • 09/12/2019 by Wendy

      Lord Jesus. I thank you for the strength you have given Jason as he has embarked on this tragic journey with his daughter's. I thank you for the friends and family that have been there beside him, stepping in where needed. Lord I thank you for the strength you have given Sunmara to constantly fight for her life, when all seems against her. Please continue giving her this strength. Make her strong and determined fight to get past all these physical injuries to go on to live a full life, for her and her sister. I pray for the surgeons. I pray for the Doctor's, Nurses and Orderlies. I thank you for Tayla and the joy she brought to both her Dad and Sister. I pray the many memories she has left them with will uplift them in the days, weeks, months and years ahead. AMEN. Stay as strong as you can Jason. Xx

  • Jason’s update 8th December

      8 December 2019

    Hi everyone I have just come back from the hospital, Sunmara is still putting up a determined fight, as I write this sunmara is being taken back into surgery. Unfortunately they are concerned she has a infection starting on her back, it could be 2 hours it could be multiple hours. They won’t know how bad it is until they get in there and have a proper look. So now it’s just a waiting game until they ring me with a up date.

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  • Jason’s update 7/12/2019

      7 December 2019

    Hi everyone would like to let you know that Sunmara is now breathing on her own, such great news. She had a very couple rough days with quite long surgeries on Thursday and Friday but is getting a chance to rest up this weekend, her next surgery is scheduled for Monday, Wednesday and Friday next week. Unfortunately she has had to have her fingers removed on her left hand apart from her thumb, her right hand has the thumb and one finger left. I will get a proper update later on when I get to talk to the Drs, the nurses are doing a amazing job and she has one with her 24/7, she is still in a induced deep sleep and will be for a long time yet, I will update you all when I have more information

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    • 08/12/2019 by Pamela

      My Prayers are with you and your daughter. May God continue to work miracles for her.