Wheatbelt car crash kids: where are they now? Grandmother takes in the three children who have been stranded for nearly three days next to the mutilated wreckage of a car next to their parents’ dead bodies
Three young children who miraculously survived after spending nearly three days stranded next to the wreckage of their family car while their parents lay dead in the car have been taken in by their grandmother who begs for help to renovate their home.
Charles, Bevan and Synthia were orphaned in the horror crash near their home in Kondinin, Western Australia’s Wheatbelt on Christmas Day in 2022.
The single-car collision shocked the nation and sadly claimed the lives of their parents Cindy Braddock, 25, and Jake Day, 28, in the collision.
The family was making the 200km journey back to Kondinin to spend Christmas with Mr Day’s mother, Annette, when the Land Rover Discovery overturned and crashed off an embankment just 10km away from their destination.
It took nearly three days for the children to be found.
The car was found upside down in an embankment just 10 kilometers away from the family’s destination on Corrigin-Kondinin Road
Cindy Braddock, 25, and Jake Day, 28, were killed when their Land Rover Discovery left a remote WA highway and flipped over
Their grandmother Mrs. Day revealed that the three young children were well aware of the tragedy and loss of their parents.
“They all know everything, I think the fact of how it all was, being in the car with Mum and Dad for those few days, I think maybe made it so real to them,” said Ms Day.
Five-year-old Synthia, who later received an award for bravery for her actions, untied her one-year-old brother Bevan and the pair were found together at the roadside.
But their little brother Charles, just two months old at the time, was strapped into his car seat.
The children had spent more than 55 hours alone in 30 degree heat.
The grandmother described the young trio as her “sunshine.”
Orphans Charles, Bevan and Synthia (pictured) ‘know all’ about the horror crash that killed their parents
Their grandmother, Annette Day, says they are her “sunshine” and begs for help renovating their forever home
“We have our bad days, we’ve had quite a few bad days, but that’s okay, just keep going,” said Ms Day 9News.
The community rallied around the orphans in the aftermath of the tragedy, raising more than $100,000.
“(The money) bought a car so I can drive the kids around and there won’t be any more breakdowns,” Ms. Day said.
“And the house so they have a roof over their heads and they’re settled and we can be in one place for them forever.”
‘Don’t move anymore. This is their hometown. Close to mom and dad. Where they should be.’
But the property is in dire need of repair, with the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom ceilings in dire need of attention.
“I’ve never been one to ask for help, so it’s hard for me to figure that out — the bathroom definitely needs a good cleaning, it’s pretty old,” she said.
The family had left Northam, WA, about 1 a.m. on Christmas Day and was on their way home to Kondinin, some 125 miles away.
Mrs. Day seeks help with craft skills and materials.
“The foundation is there — some love and care — it’s all going to come out so great,” she added.
‘It’s all for the kids, so they can live comfortably now.’
Seven months after the crash, the house is filled with tributes and flowers for their parents.
“I hope they look down, they’re happy, they will be, so it’ll be all right,” she said.
Anyone who can and wants to help the family can contact us via email helpthedaykids@gmail.com