Family and friends rally behind woman who lost her legs in Surrey bus stop crash

SURREY — In a split-second, Kaureen Lamy’s life changed forever.

The 35-year-old was on her way to work and waiting for a bus near 148th Street and 88th Avenue in Surrey on June 30 when a Toyota Tacoma pickup barrelled into her, sending her to the ICU at Royal Columbian Hospital and causing both legs to be amputated below the knees.

Now family and friends are rallying behind the injured woman.

“She’s a fighter,” said Lamy’s mom, Johanne Michelin, noting Lamy has had two open-heart surgeries in the past. “Our goal is for her to get better and function as normal as possible.”

But Michelin also expressed concern about her daughter’s state of mind once she regains consciousness: “She is a very strong-willed girl. But how strong can a human be?”

Lamy remains sedated and on a ventilator. On Monday, she will undergo surgery because her right stump has developed an infection.

On Sunday, Lamy’s boss, Shannon O’Reilly, held a fundraiser at Uptown Dawg, a doggie daycare in Port Moody, to help raise funds for Lamy’s rent and other medical costs. O’Reilly hadn’t tallied the donations yet, but believes they will be at least $5,000.

“We had such an outpouring from the community, it’s insane,” said O’Reilly.

Hundreds of clients brought in their dogs for the fundraiser, which provided a hotdog and dog wash for $25. Many people also showed up without dogs, but with open wallets.

Lamy had only worked at Uptown Dawg for a couple months when the crash occurred, but was a valuable member of the team, said O’Reilly, describing Lamy as a “fantastic groomer” with “lots of positive energy.”

Michelin, who lives in Chilliwack, expressed gratitude for O’Reilly’s efforts.

“There is not enough ‘thank yous’ from my heart that can say how thankful we are over what she has done,” she said. “It’s touching. It’s unbelievable.”

Lamy’s sister, Annick Lamy Wedley, also created a page on GoFundMe to raise money for Lamy’s future medical expenses and care. The campaign has raised $5,800 in 11 days, surpassing its initial goal of $2,000.

The probe into the June 30 crash that injured Kaureen is still under investigation.

The pickup was involved in a separate collision with another vehicle. The impact of that collision sent the pickup into the bus stop, where Lamy and another woman were waiting. The latter sustained minor injuries.

chchan@theprovince.com

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