A Mid Wales man seriously injured in a car crash in Africa that killed his baby son was robbed as he and his family lay in the wreckage, it was revealed today.

Mervyn Humphreys, 37, from Caersws, broke his leg, ankle, pelvis, neck and jaw in the crash in Swaziland, which killed six-month-old Cameron and injured Portia Humphreys, a Swazi national.

Lee Brown, who works with Mr Humphreys, said the car was hit from behind by a van or lorry, since reported to have had defective brakes.

“Apparently, after the crash and before anyone called for an ambulance, someone had reached into the wreckage and snatched Portia’s handbag and reached over Mervyn and stole his wallet.

“The lorry involved didn’t stop and needs to be found,” said Lee.

Mervyn’s mother, Dot Humphreys, who used to run Dot’s Diner, near Mach-ynlleth, has flown to her son’s bedside at Pretoria Hospital in Johannesburg.

Lee and other friends organised a collection to provide her with funds to travel, but she is in need of more money to allow her to stay for the three months her son is likely to be in hospital.

Mervyn is said to be in intensive care following an operation to prevent clots affecting his brain. He is also paralysed down his right side. “He is in a bad way,” Lee said.

“Portia has family out there but they haven’t got room for Dot, too, and we believe it will cost something like £9,000 to keep her out there,” he added.

Collection tins have been distributed and Lee and friends are organising a car boot sale on September 9 in Newtown. Anyone who would like to contribute in any way can contact Lee Brown on 07968 985087.