For two days a Cape Town mother hoped her 10-year-old son would pull through and survive this week's horrific rail crossing accident which killed nine other children - but it was not to be.
Judith Cyster on Friday was forced to accept that doctors could do no more for her son Jade Adams because injuries to his head were "too severe". She stood by heartbroken as medical staff took her boy off life support at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital.
His uncle, Mark Adams, later said Jade was "the light of her life". He was her only child until she gave birth to a baby girl three months ago. His two grannies were also very heartsore.
"His mother accepted that he was brain dead and that there was nothing more doctors could do for him," he said.
The family lives in Bellville South and Jade was in Grade Four at Good Hope Primary in the area.
Adams said Jade was quiet but friendly. "One of his teachers told me this morning that he did not talk much and he was a very good boy.
"His mother last saw him before he went to school on Wednesday morning. He asked her when she would take him out again. He loved going to McDonalds."
Families and communities from the northern suburbs are still reeling after Wednesday's accident when a minibus taxi carrying 14 school children was hit by a train after the taxi driver allegedly swerved past a boom and ignored signs at a level crossing in Blackheath.
Nine children died at the scene while five were hospitalised.
Western Cape Health MEC Theuns Botha expressed condolences to Jade's family. "I am so sad for the family and the community for this child. Our hearts go out to them. I know that the neurosurgical team at the hospital did everything in their power to save the life of this boy."
He said Jade had fought for his life since being airlifted to Red Cross Children's Hospital. Medical staff did everything they could but his injuries were too severe.
A memorial service will be held at Kleinvlei Community Hall at 2pm tomorrow, followed by a peace march to the scene of the accident.
A gospel evening will then be held at 7pm at the Kunjalo Love Fellowship, 353 Halt Road, Elsies River to raise funds for affected families.