'Years' of recovery ahead for teen survivor in fatal four-car crash

Monday, 14 September 2020

Southland 17-year-old Ella Ashley has many years of recovery ahead after being seriously injured in a four-car crash on September 2.

Mike Ashley would give anything to go back and change the afternoon of September 2.

Ashley’s 17-year-old daughter Ella was involved in a four-vehicle crash on State Highway 6 at Makarewa, near Invercargill, at 3.55pm.

It’s a moment that Ashley says turned his, and many other family’s lives, upside down.

Matthew Harris, 22, and his infant daughter, Ruby Harris, died, while Ella was transported to Dunedin Hospital in critical condition.

Matthew Harris, 22, and his infant daughter, Ruby Harris, died after the vehicle they were in was struck by another vehicle on State Highway 6, near Invercargill.

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“We didn’t know if we would still have our daughter around in the days after the crash,’’ Ashley said.

Ella was the sole occupant in her car. The Year 12 Central Southland College pupil suffered major damage to her legs and an arm.

On Friday Ella was taken off a ventilator, in place to assist with breathing, but her dad said she remained in extensive pain.

Ashley didn’t want to delve into the exact nature of his daughter’s injuries, but told Stuff she has had four surgeries and was in line for a fifth this week.

“You have no idea what she has been through in the last 10 days, it’s been horrific,’’ he said.

“She has got a very long road ahead.’’

While the crash has left the Ashley family reeling, Mike said he felt for the Harris family who were now mourning the death of two family members.

“That afternoon was horrible, I would give anything to go back and change that afternoon.

“It’s touched everybody’s lives, it's tipped a lot of people’s lives upside down. But it’s not about us, we feel for Matthew and baby Ruby and the Harris family.’’

Ashley said he and Matthew’s father Steve have been in contact and were supporting each other the best they could.

The Ashley family were now juggling keeping their dairy farm going while Ella undergoes her battle in Dunedin.

“The priority is our daughter. We are lucky we have good staff and also friends who have been very supportive.’’

The family is involved in motocross, which has prompted the Southern Dirt Riders Club to rally behind them by starting a fundraising campaign to help with Ella’s rehabilitation.

On Sunday night, club treasurer Penny Muller set up an online fundraising page with the money donated to go towards Ella’s recovery.

Muller said Ella faces years of rehabilitation and the least they could do was to try to ease the burden by helping with expenses.

The club will also plan to hold an event this weekend where money will be raised for Ella.

The family was humbled by the support they have received.

Ashley said it was difficult for them to accept the financial donations, but they understand that the community wants to help, and they were thankful for that.

“We are normally the ones giving to these pages, you never think one day you will be the recipients.’’

Ashley also thanked the medical staff who are looking after Ella, and the emergency service staff who attended after the crash.

“I don’t know how they do what they do.’’

Police investigations into the crash were still ongoing.