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LOGAN — Family of two Logan High School teens nearly killed in a crash on their way to school gave an update on the two Wednesday and shared what's giving them hope while Kirubel and Surafel Mesfin remain hospitalized.
Looking at pictures and footage from Monday's crash, it's unbelievable for Jonathan Abebe to see, knowing his two cousins were in the front seats as the car collided with a water truck.
"There's no way anyone would believe the kids came out alive from that accident," Abebe said.
Kirubel Mesfin, 18, and Surafel Mesfin, 14 were on their way to school. Both brothers are now hospitalized, with Kirubel Mesfin in Ogden and Surafel Mesfin in Salt Lake City. They both attend Logan High school, where Kirubel Mesfin is a senior and Surafel Mesfin a sophomore.
Abebe, the nephew of the boys' father, shared that Surafel Mesfin is in stable condition and being monitored, and is expected to stay in the hospital.
Abebe described how his cousin Kirubel Mesfin had multiple surgeries Monday and Tuesday as he suffered from internal bleeding, shattered elbows, and injuries to his hips, collarbones, arms and spine.
"He was highly sedated, because of the multiple open heart and brain surgery that they had to do the day of the accident," he said. "So we didn't know what to expect and what to anticipate."
The whole situation is hard to believe in and of itself, but even more so after knowing what the two teens' father just went through.
"He recovered from cancer and now all of a sudden, this just happened," Abebe said.
The family just survived that experience which lasted a few years, Abebe and other family members explained, and things were beginning to return to normal.
But during a stressful week with a lot of worrying and tears, Abebe described how something else unbelievable happened to the family.
A majority of the support is people that we don't even know.
–Jonathan Abebe
Hundreds of people reached out, many through a GoFundMe* to help ease the financial burden on the parents and others through the high school soccer community Kirubel is a part of.
"A majority of the support is people that we don't even know," Abebe expressed. "And it was just that the outpouring of support, the messages, the phone calls, the love that we've been receiving, the prayers that we've been receiving is unbelievable."
He added that Kirubel and Surafel Mesfin's immediate family is incredibly grateful and appreciative of that support and help.
And more good news to share on Wednesday: Kirubel Mesfin awoke, responding with blinks and head nods.
Even if the rehab journey ahead is long and extensive, it's now giving the family the hope that these boys will recover.
"It's just a miracle," Abebe said, adding, "and we're blessed the fact that they're still alive and trending in the right direction."
*Disclaimer: KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit or donation you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
