A Storm Surge Nearly Killed This Family When Three Redwood Trees Crushed Their RV
Marin County, California. On Sunday, October 25, in Marin County, California, a family was nearly crushed after three redwood trees fell on their RV.
Matthew Boersma, Danielle Brajkovich, their two teenage daughters Taylor and Liliana, and their three dogs had been living in the RV for the past year while they worked on home construction plans.
That Sunday, a superstorm hit the Bay area. Over a foot of rain and loosening soil allowed the massive redwood trees to come down at all at once.
“Three of them at the same time came toppling over, right onto the top of the RV,” said Danielle, “Glass went flying, the whole RV was shaking back and forth, and I looked over and was panicked.”
Danielle climbed out of the RV, which was crushed in half, and began yelling for her husband. In the meantime, one of her daughters dialed 911.
GoFundMe; pictured above is Matthew and Danielle with their girls
Matthew had been taking a nap on the opposite side of the RV when he awoke to Danielle’s shrieks.
“I woke up and I noticed this tree was right up against my shoulder,” said Matthew, “If I were over another six inches, the whole tree would have crushed me.”
Luckily, the entire family emerged from the accident virtually untouched. Unfortunately, Matthew did visit the emergency room with a black eye and a concussion. Still, the whole family is lucky to be alive.
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“Our dog had just passed the night before,” Danielle explained, “I think he was our guardian angel saving Matthew’s life.”
“The other side of the bed is completely flattened and that’s where Danielle sleeps,” Matthew added, “So if she had laid down to rest with me, she probably would have been dead.”
GoFundMe; pictured above is the RV after the accident
Dave White, Matthew’s friend and coworker, has organized a GoFundMe on behalf of the family. Besides the disastrous RV accident, Matthew and Danielle also had to put their dog Maui down just the night before. Maui had been suffering from a lung tumor at only nine months old.
Now, the family is battling both the financial and emotional tolls of losing their beloved puppy and home.
“Matthew and his family are now resting at a Best Western, no doubt working on a plan for the near future,” White wrote.
“Please consider a donation for Matthew and his family to help with the cost of removing the trees and destroyed RV, hospital bills, veterinary bills, and lodging costs until he has a more permanent solution.”
The GoFundMe, which has a goal of fifteen thousand dollars, has reached just over eleven thousand dollars in contributions. Friends, coworkers, and the greater community have all joined together to support the family.
“Matthew is one of the most stand-up guys I know. A credit to his family and his company,” wrote Digby Christian, who donated five hundred dollars.
“Matthew has a heart of gold! Wishing him and his family a speedy recovery. You’ve got team support here!” wrote Anabella Pinon, who donated one hundred and fifty dollars.
If you would like to support Matthew and Danielle’s family, visit the GoFundMe link here.
More About:Human Interest
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