‘The future holds many unknowns’: Child who survived boating accident begins recovery journey, says family

Ten-year-old Onur Yucel is facing an unknown future as he recovers from a tragic speedboating crash that killed friend Lionel Klassen-Hall in Cates Park, June 7

The family of the boy who survived the tragic boating accident over the weekend in North Vancouver is providing an update on the child’s condition.

Ten-year-old Onur Yucel remains in hospital after his friend Lionel Klassen-Hall was killed in a speedboat crash while tubing near Cates Park, June 7.

A spokesperson for the family, Sinemyis Unver, says Yucel has sustained severe brain damage that has limited his speech.

“Right now, he’s not able to speak whole sentences. Just key words,” Unver told CTV News over the phone Thursday evening.

She explained that Yucel has begun speech therapy and doctors believe the road to recovery is uncertain. It could be months before he is healed, if not a year.

“The future holds many unknowns. Onur was critically injured in the June 7th Cates Park boat accident that also cut short the vibrant life of his lifelong friend,” reads a statement attached to a GoFundMe online fundraiser, set up by Unver on behalf of Yucel’s mother, Tulay.

As of Thursday evening, the GoFundMe had surpassed $30,000.

The page says Yucel was raised by a single mother who is now travelling to and from the hospital from their home in Surrey, where she is caring for her other young son who is coping with the trauma of his brothers’ injuries and the loss of a friend.

According to the GoFundMe statement, for Yucel, a day on the water was never to be turned down.

He enjoyed boating, swimming, sailing, tubing, and surfing and would often bring his dog – a pug named Potato.

North Vancouver RCMP are calling on witnesses to come forward with information on Saturday’s deadly incident.

The driver of the boat was arrested, and police said speed and alcohol are believed to have been factors in the crash.

No charges have been laid.