Provided photo-The Hamiltons-Paul, Anthony, Mari and Allison
After suffering serious injuries in a head on collision on Friday in Bergen, Batavia natives Mari and Paul Hamilton hope to return home to North Chili this week after they each underwent many hours of surgery at Strong Hospital.
Mari suffered a compound fracture to her ankle along with lacerations to both her legs and forehead. Paul suffered a fractured ankle and a broken wrist. Their children, Allison and Anthony, had minor injuries from the seatbelt straps of their car seats. They are currently be cared for by family and friends.
The Hamiltons were on their way to Darien Lake at the time of the accident. The driver of the other vehicle attempted to pass another car and collided with the Hamilton’s car. The driver and sole occupant of that car died at the scene.
Joshua Finn, who is Mari’s stepbrother and serves as the President and a Captain of the Oakfield Volunteer Fire Department was listening to the call unfold on the scanner. After calling his father, he confirmed his stepsister, and her husband were involved. He immediately went to the scene and collected their personal items from their vehicle. Finn says he has experienced three other fatal accidents over the past two months.
“When I went down there it brought tears to my eyes,” says Finn.
“It’s just an unfortunate accident and we’re just super grateful that the kids sustained minor injury and they’re all alive,” says Finn.
To help Mari and Paul and their children, family members have started a GoFundMe for the family to help them with their medical bills and to ease their financial burdens. https://gofund.me/e87a6fe7
As of this morning, 12:15a.m., $8,240 of the $12,000 goal has been raised.