Girl's amazing recovery

Just 10 when injured in accident that killed dad.

A young girl who fought for her life in intensive care after a tragic road accident is defying expectations in her recovery.

Not only is she walking unaided, but Nina Kruger is also pursuing her passion for fishing and making the most of life after a head injury.

Nina was just 10 at the time of the accident that also claimed the life of her beloved father, Frans Kruger, in March 2023.

Her injuries were life-threatening and she was airlifted by Netcare 911's helicopter emergency medical service to the level 1 trauma centre at Netcare Alberton Hospital, where she was first attended to by renowned surgeon and trauma director Prof Frank Plani and Dr Katheryn Monteith.

Nina remained in the paediatric intensive care for over two months with a multidisciplinary team and required extensive surgeries painstakingly carried out by an army of specialists.

"We did not know from one hour to the next whether she would make it," recalls her mother, Loretta Kruger.

Nina sustained significant brain injury and facial fractures, and both her wrists were broken.

She also had a fractured femur that protruded from her leg and her pelvis was cracked.

Loretta and Nina's best friend Mizaan spent many anxious weeks at Nina's bedside as she fought for her life on a ventilator.

"We were told to prepare for the worst, but Nina's feisty spirit wouldn't give up," Loretta says.