Dave Miln: Hero Seaforth dad saves daughters, but loses both his legs in runaway snow blower

Northern beaches dad Dave Miln fearlessly threw himself in front of a runaway snow removal machine to save the lives of his two little girls — but ended up losing his legs.

Royal Australian Navy clearance diver Dave Miln, of Seaforth, recovering in hospital after losing parts of both legs after throwing himself into the path of a moving snowplough to save his two daughters in northern California in December 2022. Picture: Supplied (GoFundMe)

A courageous northern beaches dad lost both his legs when he threw himself in front of an out-of-control road snow blower machine bearing down on his two little daughters.

Dave Miln, from Seaforth, was partially sucked into the machine — used to remove snow from roadways — as he threw his body over his girls, Isla, 3, and one-year-old Anna, to shield them from the sharp spinning blades.

Mr Miln, a mine clearance diver in the Royal Australian Navy, was at Mammoth Mountain, a Californian ski resort, with his wife Clare and their girls when the incident occurred on December 15.

They were on their way to early morning skiing lessons while Mr Miln was on leave from a transfer stint with the US Navy in San Diego.

The Navy veteran lost his left leg just above the knee and his right leg above the ankle.

His legs where trapped inside the machine’s mechanism for more than an hour, local police said, before he could be freed by emergency services.

Clare Miln with her daughter Isla, 3, who broke both legs and her pelvis when hit by the runaway snow blower in the United States. Picture: Supplied (GoFundMe).

On the community crowd-funding site GoFundMe, a friend wrote that the Navy diver was conscious throughout the ordeal.

Despite his brave efforts, Isla broke both legs and her pelvis but is expected to fully recover.

Anna was not hurt.

Royal Australian Navy clearance diver Dave Miln, of Seaforth, with his wife Clare. He is recovering in hospital after losing parts of both legs after throwing himself into the path of a moving snow blower to save his two little daughters. Picture: Facebook (Dave Miln)

“Dave’s actions ultimately saved the lives of the girls, keeping Anna under his body and doing his best with Isla,” the friend wrote.

“However, Isla still entered the machine.”

As well as losing his lower legs, Mr Miln broke both thigh bones, his pelvis, several vertebrae and three ribs.

He had to endure 10 operations in just three weeks in the US.

The family is now back in Sydney where Mr Miln and Isla have started rehabilitation. He is being prepared for the fitting of a prosthetic on his right leg.

Royal Australian Navy clearance diver Dave Miln, of Seaforth, with his daughters, Isla, 3, and Anna, 1. Picture: Supplied

Dave Miln is back in Sydney for rehab and further treatment. Picture: Supplied

Friends are trying to raise money for the family’s ongoing accommodation and day to day living needs. Mr Miln’s medical costs are covered by the Australian Defence Force.

“There are mainly financial costs (some still unknown) involved for the Miln family to re-establish themselves in Sydney and for all the necessities Dave and the family will now need,” the friend wrote on GoFundMe.

“These may include things like vehicle modifications for Dave, household equipment and modification and other bits and pieces that Dave will need in adapting to his disability.”

Friends are hoping to raise at least $150,000 in the short term.

“Defence is unable to directly fund all the bits and pieces we take for granted in daily life, many of which aren’t going to be compatible with Dave’s condition,” the friend wrote.

“All the funds raised will go directly to the Milns, in helping the family adapt to those new challenges.

“While Dave learns to run again (and we all know he will!) please donate generously so their strength and energy is focused purely on healing together.”