Karratha boy Samuel Kleehammer stopped breathing after being hit by a taxi, but his heart keeps others alive

Little Samuel Kleehammer took his last breath two weeks ago — but his heart is still beating. The four-year-old boy with the “cheekiest smile” was on his way to the Karratha shops with his mum, aunt and siblings when he was hit by a Toyota taxi bus on March 24. He was crossing Tambrey Drive at about 7.45pm when the incident happened. While other kids in his kindergarten class enjoyed the school holidays, Samuel was fighting for his life in the Perth Children’s Hospital. His family were forced to make the heart-wrenching decision to turn off his life support. But in that moment of such sorrow, they were able to give an invaluable gift to two strangers. Samuel’s family decided to donate his organs. A little girl received his heart, and an elderly man was given his kidney. Samuel’s aunt, Joni Mitchell, said the youngster’s saving the lives of two others brought enormous comfort to the grieving family, particularly his mother, Kasie Kleehammer. “She finds comfort knowing his heart is still beating,” Ms Mitchell said. “Samuel was in hospital for four to five days, and they told his mum that only machines were keeping him alive. She sat on it for a few days and decided to do an organ donation. “His heart went to another little one, and his kidney went to an elderly man. So in losing him, he saved two lives. “That provided some kind of comfort in the fact that his little heart is still beating and has saved a life.” On Tuesday, Ms Kleehammer received confirmation that the little girl who had received Samuel’s heart was now recovering. Samuel — who was the youngest of five siblings — had only just started kindy this year and has been remembered as a sociable four-year-old who always had the “cheekiest smile”. “He will forever be four in our hearts. He is a cheeky little kid who will forever be four for them,” Ms Mitchell said. “He was the baby of the family, he loved everybody, he had a huge heart. “Even though he was so busy, he’d find moments to crawl up in your lap and cuddle you until he went to sleep. “He was always so hectic but he’d always find that special time to have with you.” Similar to most four-year-olds, Samuel has been described as “full of energy”. “He was super cheeky and always had a grin on his face. He loved playing and being busy all the time,” she said. “He loved going on bike rides. His mum would ride the bike, and he would be in the trailer. He also loved playing in his cubby with his brother. “They loved going to the beach as a family and playing in the park. “But now they are doing as best as can be expected in this situation; it was pretty traumatic for them all.” On behalf of the Kleehammer family, Ms Mitchell also wanted to thank the community for donating to their fundraiser, which was created to support Ms Kleehammer as she stayed by Samuel’s side in the hospital in Perth. They also wanted to thank a stranger who witnessed the incident and stepped in to help. “They wanted to especially thank the female who was travelling behind that car,” Ms Mitchell said. “She helped the family on the day of the incident — she took all of the family in her car to the hospital and kept everyone calm and got them all up to the hospital.” “She was at the hospital for seven to eight hours with the other children supervising them while Kasie was with Samuel.” A WA Police spokesman on Wednesday confirmed the investigation into the fatal accident remains ongoing. Major Crash investigators are appealing for anyone with information, or anyone who witnessed the incident, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au. Dash-cam or mobile phone vision relating to this crash can be uploaded directly to investigators via this link.