Mum to be farewelled as injured children face long road to recovery

Tracey O'Brien

Bay mother Tracey O'Brien will be farewelled next Monday at a funeral service at Omokoroa Community Church followed by a private cremation.

Ms O'Brien, 26, was killed when her silver Nissan Coupe crossed the centreline and collided with a people mover on State Highway 2 at Te Puna on Saturday.

Her children, Faith, 3, and Phoenix, 4, who were injured in the crash, remained in high-dependency wards at Starship Hospital.

Their father Matt Ruddell, 27, said his children were awake and in a stable condition.

Faith suffered bruising to her brain, he said.

"She is still not talking much and sleeping a lot, but showing promising signs that she is making progress on the road to recovery."

Mr Ruddell said Phoenix, who would be in a body cast for six-eight weeks after breaking his pelvis and thighs, was almost back to his normal self.

"He's even been shouting at the nurses which is definitely reassuring, but Phoenix is quite frustrated as he keeps asking why he can't stand up and walk around," he said.

Phoenix also broke his right arm which is in a cast.

Mr Ruddell said it had been a stressful and tiring few days.

"The children are both safe and making progress which I'm really grateful for, but the long gruelling period of recovery is still ahead of us."

Mr Ruddell said his children were currently on separate floors at the hospital but plans were under way to enable them to share a room, which would make things easier for him, plus also assist with their recovery.

He would attend Ms O'Brien's funeral at 1pm on Monday.

Ms O'Brien is also survived by her siblings Timothy, Abigail and Richard and her parents Peter and Vera who live in Omokoroa.

People are being asked to consider making donations to Starship Hospital, Private Bag 92924 Auckland or to the TrustPower TECT Rescue Helicopter.

Staff at The Phoenix where Mr Ruddell works have set up a Givealittle page for the children with $4800 so far been donated.

www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/phoenixandfaith