Young girl who lost her mother and siblings when their car crashed into a river earlier this month has spoken of how she escaped the sinking vehicle.
It’s been three weeks since Chloe-May, 8, lost her mum, Stephanie King, when their white van spun off muddied Dulguigan Road in Tumbulgum, and into the swollen Tweed River.
The 43-year-old tried to save her three children before herself, but as the van went down only, Chloe-May Kabealo, escaped.
Chloe-May, told 9NEWS she remembered unbuckling her seat belt before floating to the surface.
“I unbuckled my seatbelt, and I tried to go up for air and then I kept floating up out of something, and then I got out.”
She clambered up the bank and found an old farm house about 200m away, where locals assisted her.
“They just took me in, and lent me some clean clothes and cleaned up the cuts on my feet.”
Chloe and her father, Matt Kabealo, said they are still coming to terms the devastating reality of losing most of their family on April 3.
“I’m shattered, I’m not holding up,” Mr Kabealo said.
“I’m just being strong for my daughter, and just getting through it the best we can.”
Chloe said she would “never forget” her mother and siblings.
The Kabealos’ friends, family and community continue to provide support and raise funds for Chloe’s future.
Devastating for them. I truly can’t imagine what they are going through.
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