Two children are in hospital after being struck by a vehicle in Glace Bay, N.S. and the community is coming together to help their family with expenses.

Annie Angione says she has been worried sick about her grandson and granddaughter since they were hit Friday night.

“I thought they were gone. That scared me,” says Angione. “I am still sick to my stomach. That’s why I have my family around me, and that’s why I’m shaking now.”

Destiny Burke, 11, and her brother Braydon, 8, were taken to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney, and then airlifted to the IWK Health Centre in Halifax.

Destiny is suffering from a broken femur in one leg and a broken bone at the bottom of her other leg, as well as a bruised liver and fractured ribs.

Braydon sustained a serious head injury, broken bones in his hip, and received stitches above his eye.

“The little fella wants to come home,” says Angione. “He told my youngest son to get him some money and get a taxi. He wanted to come home.”

Staff at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital gathered up almost $500 to cover the cost so the children’s father could travel by cab from Sydney to Halifax.

Glace Bay business owner Jardy Breski is also trying to help the family.

“Maybe approach some of the other businesses in town to see if they can make a small donation and we can get some money up to the family, who are in Halifax with the kids at their own expense,” says Breski.

Breski says the children have been regular visitors at his shop since opening his business a few months ago.

“These are two kids I see in here in the store just about every day. They love coming in here for the popcorn,” he says. “They’re really good kids, you can tell. It really struck close to home, getting to know these kids.”

Angione says she is overwhelmed by the support her community has shown her grandchildren and family.

“I’m really happy somebody is doing that, to help me, to help Tony and the kids.”

Braydon and Destiny’s conditions are improving, but they are expected to remain in hospital for another several weeks.

Police say drugs and alcohol and not factors in the crash, and the vehicle has been seized for mechanical inspection. The crash remains under investigation.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Kyle Moore