12yo’s tragic Gladstone death: Crash victim to donate organs in final selfless act

A “cheerful” 12-year-old girl will donate her organs and give the gift of life to others after losing her own in a tragic crash in Gladstone.

A “cheerful” 12-year-old girl will donate her organs and give the gift of life to others after losing her own in a tragic crash in Gladstone.

The family of Gladstone girl Heather, 12, recently made the heartbreaking announcement that her life support machines would be turned off this week.

The “outgoing” grade seven student’s condition had sadly declined since she was hit and trapped under a car at Marian Close, Sun Valley on February 25, leaving her with “catastrophic” injuries.

She was flown to Townsville Hospital where tests revealed she had sustained significant brain damage.

Heather, 12, was tragically hit by a car in Gladstone on February 25. Picture: Supplied

Stepfather Brenden Whitworth said unfortunately Heather’s condition had recently taken a turn for the worst.

“The doctors have said there is no brain activity and the trauma to the brain is catastrophic and can’t heal never mind be fixed so unfortunately they are going to start to take her off the life support this week,” he said.

“The social worker sat down yesterday and made a keepsake box with hand prints and hand moulds with locks of her hair.”

Heather’s stepdad said she had been approved to be an organ donor. Picture: Supplied

Mr Whitworth said Heather had today been accepted as an organ donor and they were waiting for the paperwork and coroners.

“This is something I know Heather would have wanted, to save another life,” he said.

He said the GoFundMe that had been set up last week to help their family pay for Heather’s medical bills and ongoing care would now be a fund to help pay for Heather’s funeral and transport her home from Townsville.