For Ben Hyde and his family, a little Lego creation has become a symbol of strength, resilience and survival

For Ben Hyde and his family, a little Lego creation has become a symbol of strength, resilience and survival and at the premiere of his documentary, While I Was Sleeping it was with him once again.

For Ben Hyde and his family, a little Lego creation has become a symbol of strength, resilience and survival.

Ben’s five-year-old son, Oliver, had given his dad the Lego “person” to keep him safe at work on the day a devastating car crash would change his life forever.

The Lego creation was in Ben’s pocket as he was pulled from the burning wreckage on October 4, 2021, and rushed to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Ben and Peter Malinauskas at Mercury Cinema for the screening of the Ben Hyde Survival documentary - 'While I was Sleeping'. Picture: Brenton Edwards

And it was again in Ben’s pocket on Thursday as he was joined by family, friends, colleagues, the Premier, ministers and leaders from the emergency services and health sectors for the premiere of While I Was Sleeping.

The documentary has been launched alongside The Advertiser’s Arrive Alive campaign, which aims to stamp out dangerous driving and highlight the serious consequences of recklessness on the road.

Emotions ran high during the screening. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Emotions ran high for the screening of the documentary, which tells the story of the crash that nearly killed him and his long journey to recovery.

In making the film, Ben tracked down and spoke with the first responders and medical professionals who saved his life – many of whom were also in attendance at the premiere.

In a Q and A after the viewing, Ben said he hoped to use his platform to highlight the bravery of the people who saved him.

Ben Hyde speaking at his Survival documentary - 'While I was Sleeping' .. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Among them was Ex Army Corporal Sean Davies, who dragged Ben from the wreckage of his burning car after he was hit from behind by a car travelling at 170km/h.

In the documentary, Ben takes Sean back to the scene of the crash, on West Terrace in the Adelaide CBD.

Other first responders included paramedic Emily George, who greeted Ben and his wife Tania with a big hug at the premiere.

“It’s just the most graphic display of humanity and heroism and I’ll be indebted to them for life,” Ben said.

First responders and Ben chatting during a Q&A. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“Going back and meeting all these people ... hearing what they did and their actions, it became incredibly cathartic and humbling, and that’s definitely helped my ongoing healing process and recovery.”

Then there were the medical professionals who pieced Ben’s broken body back together and have provided crucial emotional support to his family throughout his recovery.

“The reality is, what they’re doing every day is life-changing and life-saving and life-altering for so many people,” he said.

The Lego creation made by Oliver Hyde.

Ultimately, Ben – who at the time of the crash was the deputy editor of The Advertiser – said he hoped that telling his story would show people the devastating consequences of road trauma.

“It doesn't need to happen,” he said.

“I live in a lot of hope that this can actually have a broader purpose beyond a story that we’ve done and it can actually be used to make a difference to people’s behaviour on the roads.”

Scene of the crash involving Advertiser journalist Ben Hyde on West Tce, Adelaide on October 4, 2021. Picture: SA Police

Advertiser editor Gemma Jones said, by sharing his story, Ben has become a powerful road safety advocate.

“We want to use this documentary to remind South Australians that every time they get into a car it is a potentially deadly weapon and to take care,” she said.

“Our death and injury toll is simply unacceptable and Ben’s experience has inspired us to action.”

Advertiser editor Gemma Jones speaking at the While I Was Sleeping documentary. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Tania, Ben’s wife, said it was a special moment to have attended the screening with the couple’s wide support network and those who helped save her husband’s life.

“Just to see everyone here, you can feel the love in the room,” she said.

“It’s incredible to have that support, that’s what got us through for the last three years.”

She said she hopes Ben’s story will help drive home the message about road safety.

“Think before you get in the car,” she said.

“Even if this just encourages one person not to get behind the wheel if you’ve taken drugs and not to speed, it will be worth it.”

Brevet Sergeant Jason Thiele, who in 2021 with Major Crash and worked on Ben’s case, said he was fortunate to be telling his story.

In making the film, Ben tracked down and spoke with the first responders and medical professionals who saved his life. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“Once we were there and I saw the damage, I actually didn’t think that we would have survivors and it would be a fatal investigation,” he said during the Q and A.

Health Minister Chris Picton said the documentary was incredibly moving, and he encouraged all South Australians to watch it.

“Ben’s shown such bravery in sharing his story, which has also helped to highlight the incredible work of our frontline responders and our clinicians caring for South Australians,” he said.

“It really highlights as well how important it is that we all have regard for how dangerous cars can be and how, in an instant, life can change for families.”