Heartbroken family on fundraising mission for surgery

One-year-old Kobi Rumble lost his mum in a tragic car accident last year, and now his family is trying to raise enough money to pay for surgery to save his leg.

Chloe Rumble, 23, died when a truck collided with her Kia Cerato on North West Coastal Highway on November 7.

The driver of the truck failed to negotiate a turn and drifted on to the incorrect side of the road.

Kobi was restrained in a car seat and sustained only minor injuries.

But Kobi was born 12 weeks premature with fibula hemimelia, a congenital birth defect involving the shortening or absence of the fibula at birth.

Kobi was born without a fibula and only half a tibia in his left leg, and is missing two toes.

He requires reconstructive surgery at the Paley Institute in Florida, USA, or his leg will be amputated.

The Rumble family has started a GoFundMe page to help raise the $255,000 needed to pay for the surgery and to cover the expenses of living in the US for three months for post-surgery check-ups.

Chloe’s sister Binde Rumble said they had been told Kobi may need up to six operations and leg lengthening as his left leg is shorter than the right.

She said Kobi struggled to walk because he could not put any weight on his left leg.

Kobi’s great-grandmother Judy Rumble said the family has banded together to take care of him after Chloe’s death.

“He cries for his mum, which is really heartbreaking,” she said.