'There was no saving them': Blake Putnam speaks out following horror crash that killed three family members

The stars behind TLC's hit reality show Meet the Putnams have spoken out, following the tragic traffic crash that killed three of their close-knit family.

Last September, brothers Blake, Billy and Brandon Putman made a two-hour journey with their spouses, kids and parents to cheer on Blake's 15-year-old son Noah at his football game.

In the end, three of the famous family would not make it home.

While Noah, 15, had played "the best football game he's ever played," according to Blake, the family's celebrations were cut short when a truck blew a stop sign and crashed into one of the three cars they took to the game – with eight Putnams on board.

Speaking to PEOPLE, Blake detailed the moment the car he'd been driving was struck, and the pain of losing his wife of 18 years Megan, 37, and beloved parents Bill and Barb, both 65.

"I remember the entire thing: I remember the car hitting us. I remember being on the road. I remember a lot of scenes inside the vehicle," Blake recalled.

"Megan had her arms around me when he hit us, and my dad was sleeping," Blake says. "My mom and dad and Megan, they died on the scene. The autopsy said that they were immediately gone. There was no saving them."

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While the car had been struck on the drivers' side, Blake lived to the the tale – hospitalised with severe injuries alongside children Lulu, Alena and Noah, and niece Gia.

Lulu suffered a pelvic fracture and Alena a clavicle fracture, while both Noah and Gia were left with traumatic brain injuries.

"I remember pulling Noah out of the car, and I didn't think he'd be the same as he is," Blake's brother Brandon, 39, revealed.

"The way he's bounced back and is stronger in almost every facet than he was before in a short amount of time is amazing. Gia, the same thing."

Brandon and his wife, Kacie, had been travelling along behind their family's other vehicle with their daughter Gia on board, going on to witness the entire incident.

After the crash, Noah spent two weeks in the ICU and two months in rehab. Gia, meanwhile, had to be airlifted to a hospital to undergo emergency surgery and is still in recovery following 10 brain surgeries.

Noah, meanwhile, is already lifting weights and ready to get back into school sports, including football and wrestling.

Despite slowly beginning to heal, the family is still dealing with the emotional weight of the tragic event.

"But this family, we circle each other, and when one person's weak, we pick them up," Blake said.

The family originally released a heartbreaking statement on Instagram in the aftermath of the crash, sharing the tragic news with fans.

"I come to you with a heavy heart, asking for your prayers. Our family was in a tragic car accident and we lost Papa, Neenee and Aunt Megan," referring to grandparents Bill and Barb and their daughter-in-law Megan.

"They have gone home to be with the Lord."

"We know Papa, Neenee and Aunt Megan are not gone forever. They are alive and whole in Heaven, standing before Jesus, hearing the words we all long to hear: 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.'"

The show, which aired in 2017 on TLC, followed the lives of Bill and Barb Putman and their multi-generational family of 25 (now 30 members), all living under one roof.

It was later revived and retitled Growing up Putman, released on YouTube in 2021.

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