Brit Mum of two ‘proud’ of kids after wife died in car crash in NZ

‘I’m so proud of them both’: Mother of two British children, six and nine, who survived head-on holiday car crash in New Zealand that killed her wife speaks from her hospital bed

  • Ben and Olivia Sargent were enjoying a New Zealand holiday with their mothers
  • Kerry, 42, was tragically killed in a head-on crash as family were on a night out
  • Jules, 49, from Gloucester, was critically injured and is too unwell to return to UK
  • Children left traumatised after they were left hanging upside down in wreckage 

The mother of two British children who faced being stranded 11,000 miles away in New Zealand over Christmas has said she is ‘so proud’ of them both.  

Ben and Olivia Sargent, aged six and nine, were enjoying a dream holiday in New Zealand with their parents Kerry and Jules Sargent.

But while going for a night out for dinner with friends, Kerry, 42, from Gloucester, was tragically killed in a devastating road smash near Whangarei, north of Auckland, while Jules, 49, suffered life-threatening injuries.   

Ben and Olivia Sargent, aged six and nine, were enjoying a dream holiday in New Zealand with their mothers Kerry (left) and Jules Sargent (right). Tragedy struck when they were involved in a head-on collision which killed Kerry and left Jules seriously injured

Speaking from her hospital in New Zealand, Jules said: ‘The children have been through such a traumatic experience as they were initially stuck in the car whilst it was on its roof and had to be rescued by friends smashing the windows to get them out.

‘It was a terrifying experience for everyone but Ben and Olivia have shown so much courage throughout this whole situation.

‘I am so proud of them of both.


  • Rollerblading Vogue male model who smashed Goldman Sachs…


    Five bartenders are arrested for serving more than a dozen…


  • Shocking moment former soldier drunkenly smashed his car…

Share this article

‘Ben said he “can’t think about the good times before the accident all he can remember is the accident.”‘    

The children, who were left hanging upside down in the wreckage of the overturned vehicle, have been left badly traumatised by the crash, but escaped serious physical injury.

Jules is battling to recover but is not well enough to return to Britain meaning the family is stranded in the country. 

Kerry, who was a front seat passenger in one of two vehicles that rolled in the crash on October 20, died at the scene. Another woman, Mary Peneamena, 65, from Auckland, was killed in the second vehicle.

Olivia, nine, and Ben are said to be ‘traumatised’ by the incident

Jules is undergoing gruelling physiotherapy before doctors can assess whether she is fit enough to take the children on their long journey home.

The two children, who were not seriously injured in the crash, now have to spend their Christmas in Whangarei and are to be schooled in New Zealand while their mother recuperates.

Grief-stricken Olivia and Ben are said to be ‘traumatised’ by the crash and are being cared for by friends.

Ben has told his mother he can’t remember the good times before the crash.  

A GoFundMe page has been set up in a bid to raise £10,000 and help the family create some ‘magical moments that they can all look forward to’. 

The horror smash happened near Whangarei as the group were enjoying a night out with friends

Family friend Alan York told the Mirror: ‘Currently, Jules is recuperating in New Zealand with the friends she went out to visit and will need a substantial period of recovery before the family can return to England.’

Jules broke her ribs, right leg and two vertebra, and her toes were dislocated.

Her left arm was also injured and she has an open wound to her left hip area which is also fractured. 

It could take years for Jules to recover from her injuries, Gloucestershire Live reported.    

Jules also said she was ‘so shocked when Alan first told her about the Magical Memories campaign.

She said: ‘I didn’t think people would respond in this way to our situation, but it is really comforting to know how much people care and want to help my children.’ 

Click here to support the campaign.

Source: Read Full Article