The 5-year-old boy who survived the accident that killed three members of his family last week in Waimea is recovering at Queen’s Medical Center on O‘ahu. According to the boy’s uncle, they may travel back to California as early as
The 5-year-old boy who survived the accident that killed three members of his family last week in Waimea is recovering at Queen’s Medical Center on O‘ahu. According to the boy’s uncle, they may travel back to California as early as Friday evening or Saturday.
Lindon Yim has yet to be told what happened to his family.
“This is a two-edged situation where he has suffered traumatic injuries and lost his family,” said his uncle, Jack Forest. “He has to survive his trauma and have a solid mental state before we can tell him about his family.”
Lindon suffered a collapsed right lung, a hairline skull fracture, a severe concussion and extensive bruising.
“He had some fluid inside his abdomen so they had to open him up in surgery to make sure his organs were OK,” Forest said.
Lindon spent four days in intensive care before he regained consciousness.
His uncle Jack is a twin to Lindon’s late father, Yong Michael Yim, 43, a well-known lawyer in the Southern California Korean community.
“He thought I was his dad when he started to wake up,” said Forest. “He is still bed-ridden and has been sleeping a lot but is spending more time playing games and watching television.”
Many members of Lindon’s family have flown to Honolulu to be with the boy during his recovery. Part of the family comes from California while some have traveled from Korea.
Michael Yim moved to California from Korea in 1968 and attended high school and college in the San Diego area. He went to law school at the University of California-Davis.
Lan Yim was a registered nurse at a Southern California hospital. Lindon’s brother, Brandon, would have turned 8 the day after the accident had he survived.
“I did a cremation of his brother and both parents and will wait until we get back to California to arrange a ceremony,” Forest said.
Forest traveled to Kaua‘i to gather the family’s belongings from where they had been staying in a timeshare.
“I have yet to unpack their belongings,” he said.
Lindon has been having some bad dreams and appears to be troubled by his memory.
“When I look at his face he is becoming more tranquil,” Forest said, “but he has called out for his mommy and daddy a couple times.”
Lindon will travel back to Southern California where the family will have a meeting to decide whom the boy will live with.
“I am trying to control my emotions because at this moment I have to be in control and take care of all the business,” he said. “The whole rest of my life I will be knowing that my brother is no longer with us.”
Forest offered thanks to the people of Hawai‘i for their kindness and St. Theresa’s on Kaua‘i for the card.
“My heart is coming out and I would like to thank everyone with all my mind and my heart.”
• Adam Harju, editor, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 227) or aharju@kauaipubco.com.
