5-year-old released from hospital after surviving crash that claimed the lives of his family

Noah Mason, the 5-year-old who survived a multi-car crash that tragically took the lives of his parents and two older siblings, has been discharged from the hospital and reunited with his family members, per FOX 5 Atlanta.

As previously reported by Face2Face Africa, the fatal multi-car crash happened on the I-75 in Bartow County, Georgia, on May 19. Noah, together with his parents – 43-year-old Dakarai Mason and 35-year-old Erin Mason – as well as his two siblings – 14-year-old Brandon Crawford and 6-year-old Titus Mason – were traveling in a Kia van when the fatal incident occurred. 

A GoFundMe set up for the Masons states that the family of five was returning home from a church function when they got involved in the crash. Authorities said Dakarai, Erin, and Brandon were pronounced dead at the scene. Titus and Noah survived the accident, but the former suffered critical injuries. Titus was pronounced dead on May 22 and removed from life support, per the fundraiser. 

The fundraiser in an update stated that Noah was released from the hospital on Friday afternoon. “We can never thank you all enough for all of your prayers & support. It takes a village, & we will somehow recover from all this. Noah will always be surrounded by love,” the fundraiser stated.

Noah’s grandmother also said the 5-year-old “still has a ways to go” – but “the outlook is great.” “We shall never completely heal from the loss of his family and ours. But God blessed us with a five year old that will never allow us to slow down or wallow in our sadness,” she continued. 

“Again thank you all for the prayers, gifts, food, toys and the ones who stepped in when we were not able to be in two places at one time, including the ones who mowed their lawn.”

The family also expressed their gratitude to everyone who stepped in to help and support them following the fatal incident. “All of you are very special people,” she wrote. “We couldn’t have gotten through this without all of you. We all came to love each and every one. We will forever be grateful. God Bless you all.”

More than $60,000 has since been raised for the Mason family. The Georgia Department of Public Safety provided details about the fatal crash in a statement to PEOPLE. “Preliminary evidence at the scene indicates that a Kia van was traveling northbound on I-75 when, for reasons yet to be determined, it left the roadway, crossed the grass median, and entered the southbound lanes of I-75,” the statement said.

“The Kia van collided with a Chevy Tahoe and a Toyota 4Runner,” police also said. “Following this initial collision, the Kia van, and the Toyota 4Runner were struck by a commercial vehicle. Additionally, a Hyundai SUV struck the rear of the Chevy Tahoe.”

The individual driving the Toyota 4Runner, Aimee Odom, was also among the casualties, FOX 5 Atlanta reported. Odom, 21, was headed to a graduation party when the crash happened. Two occupants of the Hyundai and the Chevy Tahoe driver were taken to the hospital.