An Iowa family lost two children in a car accident in Africa during Christmas break

Emmanuel and Kairo/Photo/GoFundMe

A family from Waterloo, Iowa, the DeLeons, is facing profound tragedy after a car accident in Kenya, Africa, claimed the lives of two of their three children. Emmanuel, a student at Hoover Middle School, and his younger brother Kairo, who attended Royal Legacy Christian Academy, were reportedly killed at the scene of the crash. Their oldest sibling, Njeri, a junior at West High in Waterloo, Iowa, is currently in a medically induced coma in intensive care.

The family was visiting relatives in Africa when the accident occurred on January 4th. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to help cover medical and funeral expenses for the parents, Leah and Christopher, who plan to remain in Africa with Njeri during her recovery. Fortunately, the parents were not severely injured in the incident.

Njeri, Christopher, and Emmanuel/Photo/GoFundMe

According to KWWL, a family friend named Lyndie Maina mentioned that the driver may have fallen asleep. Upon waking, the driver attempted to avoid a head-on collision, which led to another vehicle striking the side of their car.

In honor of Emmanuel, his school held a balloon release and a memorial service. Hoover's Principal Tom Harskamp remarked, "He was a leader—very calm and caring. People looked up to him, and he was involved in many activities, impacting a lot of different people. The ripple effect of Emmanuel De Leon's influence will last a long time," as reported by KWWL.

To donate to the GoFundMe, click the link.

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