After a serious car accident seemingly caused by a truck, an Uber driver named Adrina and his passenger faced huge health complications. As Ian’s friends banded together for his support, many also took to track down his driver—a stranger to them—in an epic bid to give him a helping hand too.
Cape Town, South Africa (17 November 2024) — After a cement truck’s failed breaks seemingly caused a massive car accident on Kloofnek Road on 26 September (which saw 17 vehicles involved), an unlucky Uber driver and his passenger were both put in precarious positions. Ian MacFarlane lay in a coma while his driver, Adrina Phiri, faced serious injuries that have put him out of work.
But, this is not a story of despair. Instead, it’s a story where strangers and friends have decided to turn something tragic into something that can be overcome.
Ian’s Friends Rally to Support Adrina
As is often the case in times of need, friends of Ian banded together to support him. However, in a heartwarming and unanticipated turn of events, many also decided to rally support for Adrina!
The first step was tracking Adrina down, as Kirsten Pearson, a friend of Ian, tells Good Things Guy.
“Like many people, I saw the dramatic viral footage on social media [of the accident[ but didn’t know that a friend, Ian MacFarlane was the passenger in the red Kia Picanto,” she explains.
After Ian’s sister shared the news of her brother’s accident and of his coma state, Kirsten was added to a group for progress on his health condition.
“The amount of people his life has touched is so extensive that there are over 330 people on the WhatsApp group all rooting for Ian’s recovery,” says Kristen.
On the group, concerns about Ian’s Uber driver had arisen. Unfortunately, there was little information on his whereabouts or details at the time.
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“A group of us set out to find him to check whether he was okay by looking at the footage of the accident. Groote Schuur has around 1,000 beds so this was no small task.”
By luck, Ian’s recovered phone helped his family piece together who Adrina was.
A Long Road Ahead Without Work
“He is lucky to be alive and has sustained serious injuries,” Kirsten says.
That fateful day has resulted in two surgeries for Adrina, including a bone graft from leg to arm. His doctor has reportedly explained that he won’t be able to drive for two years, which means two years of no work.
Greta Wilson, another member of the support group for Ian was also touched by Adrina’s situation and volunteered to start a crowdfunding campaign for him following Kirsten’s appeal.
“His arm has been secured with an external fixator. When the bone is healed these large pins will be removed in a follow-up operation. The road to recovery will be long,’ Greta adds.
As such, this incredible group of people are raising funds to help support Adrina’s medical costs, lost income and other essential needs. Adrina even has his own support WhatsApp group now, dubbed ‘Adrina’s recovery circle of care’.
Despite the road ahead, the support along the way is proving to be immense!
In good news, Ian has woken up from the coma and is even breathing on his own with an army of friends cheering him on.
As for those who wish to support Adrina and be a part of his triumph over adversity story, donations can be made via BackaBuddy.
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