A Kamloops couple who pulled over to help a stranded motorist on Highway 1 is in hospital after being hit by another vehicle.

The crash happened Sunday, as Matt and Anna Grandia were on their way to the Vancouver airport with their children. The family was planning to fly out of Vancouver to Hawaii for a vacation,

As they drove along the icy highway between Hope and Chilliwack, they came across a jackknifed vehicle and trailer, the family said in a statement read by the Grandias' pastor.

"According to the police, they did everything perfectly, including pulling their truck ahead of the accident and to the side of the highway," Pastor Dave Fields read. They left their two young kids in their vehicle and out of harm's way.

As they helped the stranger and cleared debris from the road, they were struck by another car that lost control.

The children were unhurt, but Matt and Anna were rushed to hospital in critical condition, where they remained Wednesday "as stable as possible and in excellent care," Fields said.

An online fundraiser was set up following the crash as a way to help the family cover their expenses, and had more than doubled its goal of $10,000 in the first day. By Wednesday, the page had raised more than $30,000.

Hundreds of people made donations, many leaving well-wishes and messages of encouragement at the same time.

"We're just so grateful to the community of Kamloops and beyond, the many people who have just poured out generous support for them," Fields said.

Fields said the family was very involved in the church, and that the Grandias are close friends with the pastor and his wife.

"I'm just so proud of Matt and Anna for being great citizens and really just embodying what it means to love your neighbour," he said.

He asked for continued prayer for the couple, their kids and their extended families, and for the other people involved in the crashes that day.

The family's statement said they are "overwhelmed by love and full of hope."

With files from CTV Vancouver's Shannon Paterson