Online fundraiser created for family of 4-year-old boy killed by bus in Horseshoe Bay

CTV News

2 days ago

A four-year-old boy who was killed in a bus crash is shown in this photo with his mother, who was critically injured. (Image credit: gofundme/support-for-clineus-family)
A GoFundMe has been launched for the family of a four-year-old boy who was killed when an articulated transit bus jumped the curb outside the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal on Wednesday.
The little boy, identified as Leonardo in the online fundraiser, died at the scene. His mother, identified as Silvana, was taken to hospital in critical condition.
The fundraiser says the family moved to Canada from Brazil years ago and are now Canadian citizens. It says Silvana and her husband Clineu struggled to have a child, and when they welcomed Leonardo in late 2020, they called him their 'one per cent miracle baby.'
Family
Image credit: gofundme/support-for-clineus-family
It goes on to say: 'Silvana wanted nothing more in life than to be a mother, and she was an incredible one. She and Leo were inseparable. On that beautiful Wednesday she wanted to adventure with Leonardo to Bowen Island for the day, as they loved to travel and see new things. They had a wonderful day, sharing pictures with Clineu throughout.'
Leonardo
Image credit: gofundme/support-for-clineus-family
The fundraiser says the family is now faced with the difficult decision of whether to bring Leonardo's body back to Brazil for burial if his mother is well enough to travel, or have their extended family fly here to say goodbye to the little boy.
It says donations will be used for funeral expenses and care for Silvana as she recovers from serious injuries and mental trauma.
'Silvana's path ahead is long and uncertain. Beyond the physical trauma, there will be the overwhelming emotional toll of losing her only child,' the GoFundMe reads. 'Her care and rehabilitation will require extensive, specialized support as she works to regain both her physical ability and her sense of purpose.'
Silvana and Leonardo
Image credit: gofundme/support-for-clineus-family
Police say the bus involved in the collision was seized for mechanical inspection and speed is not believed to be a factor. Officers have spoken to the driver, but no other information has been released.