The mother of Junior King’s children, Aquilla Frost, has provided an update on their condition following the motor vehicle accident that claimed the life of the popular artist. She is also speaking publicly for the first time since his death.

In a lengthy and emotional social media post shared this week, Frost said their daughter, Kaliah, sustained broken legs in the crash and has undergone surgery. She is now facing a long and difficult recovery and will have to learn how to walk again. Their son, Kye, was also injured and is struggling emotionally after losing his father.

The crash occurred last week on the N1 near Verkeerdevlei, where emergency services were called to a collision between a light truck and a sedan. Responders arrived to find the two vehicles had collided head-on. Junior King, whose real name was Dugulth Ferreira, 29, was fatally injured in the collision.

Frost described the past week as “the most difficult” of her life, saying she never expected to lose her first love and the father of her children so suddenly, particularly during the festive season.

“All they wanted was to spend this time with their dad and their siblings,” she wrote, adding that witnessing her children’s physical and emotional pain has been devastating.

Frost also detailed the trauma of receiving the phone call about the accident and the heartbreak of having to tell Kye that his father had died, a moment she said continues to replay in her mind.

She described her son as “broken” by the loss of his father, whom he regarded as his best friend and hero.

Despite acknowledging that she and Junior King had their differences, Frost emphasised the deep love that remained between them and pledged to uphold his legacy in their home.

Junior King, fondly known as JK, was originally from Gqeberha and rose to prominence through his energetic dance videos and sharp lyrical style on TikTok, where his choreography and skits gained a large following. In recent months, he added another milestone to his career with the release of The Revenge Album, which dropped on 5 December.

Frost said Junior King’s final moments were defined by his role as a father, crediting him with protecting their children during the crash.

“In your very last act of service, you protected our children and for that, I will be forever grateful,” she wrote. “You were a father until your very last breath.”

Her account was echoed by Junior King’s dance partner and close friend, Kayla “Medusa” Peters, who also paid tribute to the artist and described him as a devoted father.

Peters said her heart breaks even more knowing they will be without a dad, adding that Junior King protected his children until his final moments.

“Everything just feels so unreal,” she wrote. “I remember how happy you were in the last few weeks, it was almost like you knew. My heart is broken. Fly high, King.”

Junior King’s wife, Claureech “Reece” Ferreira, also shared a message mourning her husband and spoke of the comfort she finds in their young son, Hunter.

“I cannot describe how empty I feel,” she wrote. “I’ve never felt this magnitude of pain. I am broken. Thank God for the piece I have left of you in our little Hunter. I see you in him every day.”

A memorial service for Junior King will be held on Thursday, 18 December, at Gelvandale Stadium. The service will be live streamed to allow supporters across the country to pay their respects.