Three Poles, including a child, killed in Czech motorway pile-up; fundraiser for surviving father and son

The crash

Shortly after midnight on 1 August 2026, a chain-reaction collision on the D52 motorway near Pohořelice, Czech Republic, killed three Polish nationals and seriously injured two others. A car travelling towards Brno hit wild boars and stopped at the 21st kilometre of the road. A second vehicle pulled up behind it. A third car then struck both stationary vehicles at high speed. The emergency call reached firefighters at approximately 00:15, and units from Pohořelice and Židlochovice responded. Rescuers used hydraulic tools to free the trapped occupants.

Victims and survivors

The car carrying the Polish family held Patrycja and Marcin, their sons Hubert and Tymek, and a family friend, Magda, along with their dog. Two women died at the scene despite resuscitation attempts. Hubert, critically injured, was airlifted to the children's hospital in Brno but later died. South Moravian police spokesperson David Chaloupka confirmed the child's death on Sunday, 2 August. Marcin and Tymek survived with severe injuries and remain in hospitals in Brno. The fundraiser description states they face long months of hospitalization, complex rehabilitation, and a fight to regain physical and psychological fitness.

“In one moment Marcin lost his beloved wife and child, and young Tymek lost his mother and brother. The world they knew fell apart. Instead of shared plans and everyday joy, there is unimaginable pain, trauma, and enormous organizational and financial challenges.”

Fundraiser and community support

Family and friends launched an online collection titled "Wsparcie dla Otta" on the Polish platform Zrzutka.pl. The funds are meant to cover the transport of the bodies to Poland, funeral arrangements, medical treatment, rehabilitation, psychological support, and daily living costs for the surviving father and son. The campaign quickly surpassed its initial target and continues to grow. Organizer Tomasz Kruk appealed for donations and for sharing the link.

“The pain of losing loved ones is unimaginable, but we can ensure that the return to everyday life is not burdened by a lack of funds for treatment and a dignified burial. Every contribution, regardless of the amount, matters greatly.”

The family, from Siemianowice Śląskie, has long been associated with the Ruch Chorzów football fan community. During a match at Stadion Śląski, supporters unfurled a large banner reading "Otto, Tymek trzymajcie się" (Otto, Tymek hold on). The tragedy has drawn widespread sympathy across the region, with fans and strangers joining the fundraising effort.