Local Albanian community rallies around family after fatal crash
Support for a Calgary family involved in a fatal collision in Ontario continues to grow, as two survivors of the crash remain in hospital.
Fatos Metko, 45, and his son Fioralb, 14, were killed after their vehicle hit a moose near Wawa, Ont., on Aug. 19. Two people in another vehicle, Cynthia Caraoa, 51, and Anika Caraoa, 9, of Winnipeg, also died as a result of the collision.
Metko’s wife, Maralba Metko, is in critical condition and was expected to undergo surgery Sunday. The couple’s daughter Brianna is in “good condition,” said Ilir Kuqi, president of the Albanian-Canadian Association of Calgary.
“She’s asking, obviously, for her mother and her brother and her dad,” Kuqi said, noting the girl’s uncle is with her in hospital.
Kuqi said there is still “a lot of uncertainty ” as family members wait for further news on the mother’s condition. Meanwhile, the local Albanian-Canadian community is rallying in support of the family.
“In the community, we’re still trying to do whatever we can ourselves to help in any way possible,” Kuqi said. “We’ve offered any kind of services we can provide.”
The Metko family had been visiting Ontario ahead of a planned move to the province to be closer to relatives in Michigan.
A month before the accident, the extended family had got together in Ontario to celebrate Fioralb’s birthday, Kuqi said.
“They had the entire family together for the first time, and they were just amazed that they were able to come together in Ontario,” Kuqi said. “And obviously this happening — just complete shock to everyone.”
An online fundraising campaign to support the Metko family had received more than $34,000 in donations by Sunday evening. Organizers say proceeds will go toward covering funeral costs and the daughter’s education.
“It’s amazing to see all of the Albanian community across all of Canada, not just in Calgary, contributing, helping and sharing this story,” Kuqi said.
“We’re going to keep growing it as much as we can hopefully, to help in any way possible.”