Home / Health / Miracle Survivor: From Near Death to Marathon Runner
Miracle Survivor: From Near Death to Marathon Runner
30 Aug
Summary
- Paramedics revived a man whose heart had stopped after a tram collision.
- He survived severe injuries including a punctured lung and 10 broken ribs.
- Years later, he is running a marathon to honor his rescuers.
In 2005, Ben Turner, then 29, was struck by a tram in South Melbourne, an incident that left him for dead. Paramedics arriving at the scene found his heart had stopped and he was not breathing. Despite his critical condition, including a smashed face and severe injuries, the paramedics performed a life-saving procedure on Kings Way.
Turner regained consciousness weeks later in The Alfred hospital. He had suffered a punctured lung, head injury, 10 broken ribs, a broken leg, and fractured vertebrae. Today, he lives with visible reminders of the accident, including facial plates and a rod in his leg.
Remarkably, Turner has made a significant recovery and will run the Melbourne Marathon in October 2026. This event is a tribute to the emergency responders and hospital staff who saved him. He expresses deep gratitude for his life and the ability to participate fully in everyday activities with his family.
Friends informed him he was at a South Melbourne pub before heading towards his apartment when the accident occurred. After his hospital stay, he underwent rehabilitation, with his girlfriend providing crucial support. Turner, now a technology director, began running in 2010 and has since completed challenging races, using his marathon run to support Ambulance Victoria and The Alfred Foundation.
