Hurricane Harvey has now claimed the lives of over 70 people in Houston, Texas. Some of the storm’s victims, unfortunately, include members of the late Selena Quintanilla’s family.
Her father, Abraham Quintanilla, wrote on social media, “That family that drowned in Houston, Texas were related to me.” Quintanilla explained how Manuel Saldivar’s mother, Carolina, was his father’s first cousin. The reason the Saldivars were traveling was to find higher ground, evacuating due to Hurricane Harvey.
Manuel, 84, his wife Belia, 81, and four of their great-grandchildren: Daisy, 6, Xavier, 8, Dominique, 14, and Devy, 16, drowned inside a van after a wave of water pushed them into the bayou. The only survivor was Manuel’s and Belia’s son, Sammy.
Sammy was driving when they got blindsided by Hurricane Harvey on a bridge. The van got pushed into the water and began to sink.
Although Sammy managed to take his seatbelt off and exit through the window to find a tree branch that would support him, his family wasn’t so lucky. He tried shouting instructions at the children, but it was useless, watching as the van sank out of sight.
Nearly an hour following the series of events, rescuers pulled Sammy to safety with a rope. It took three days for authorities to find the bodies of the family.
A GoFundMe account created to help the family in their time of mourning exceeded expectations and doesn’t seem to be slowing down. The support from the people has been overwhelming, helping raise $20,524 in 11 days.
285 people have donated to surpass the $20K goal set on August 28th. Maggie Ludovissie, creator of the GoFundMe account for the Saldivars, wrote the following message:
I’ve known Virginia Saldivar for 6 years, and if anyone knows her OR her family, they know how precious they are all to each other. The Saldivar’s are seeking prayers and assistance in this awful time. The time and date of memorials are unknown at this time. Please cover this family in prayers, and, if able, monetary donations. Please share this message and help love on this family.
Virginia is the driver’s sister-in-law and identifies herself as the children’s grandmother. The page has been shared over two-thousand times on social media and is trending on the GoFundMe website.
Perhaps the sweetest story to come out of this tragedy is that of Manuel and Belia Saldivar. The couple was going to celebrate their 60th anniversary in October despite the fact they both had Alzheimer’s.
Ric Saldivar, Sammy’s brother, finds comfort knowing his parents passed away together. “I couldn’t see one without the other. No matter who was left behind they weren’t gonna last much longer without the other one,” he told CNN.
“I can already imagine Dad holding Mom’s hand real tight as the water rushed in. I know they went to heaven holding hands.”