Barcelona attack: Best mates from Melbourne mowed down by van

TWO best mates from Melbourne’s west came within centimetres of death when they were struck by the van involved in the deadly Barcelona terrorist attack.

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TWO best mates from Melbourne’s west came within centimetres of death when they were struck by the terrorist van in the Las Ramblas atrocity.

HERO SAVED JULIAN’S INJURED MUM

Robert Bogdanovski and Anthony Colombini had just arrived in the Spanish city and were on a walk down the famous pedestrian thoroughfare when the chaos unfolded just before 5pm local time on Thursday.

The pair saw the van approaching but had no time to act as it raced towards them at up to 80kmh.

Best mates Rob and Anthony on their flight to Spain. Picture: Instagram

“The driver swerved and collected Robert and then dragged Anthony down the street,” Robert’s mum Vesna Bogdanovski told the Sunday Herald Sun.

Despite his feet having been crushed in the impact, Robert ran through the scores of dead and injured in a desperate search for his best mate.

After reuniting they took refuge in a local shop as the evil driver continued mowing down crowds of people for more than 500m before fleeing.

Rob and Anthony at the Melbourne Airport international departure gate. Picture: Instagram

Miraculously, both men only received minor injuries

“I’m so thankful to God that my son is still alive,” Ms Bogdanovski said.

“Robert called his dad and I in the morning and the conversation felt so fast, I didn’t get a chance to really talk to him, I was simply told he was OK and had severe feet bruising.”

Just a week ago Robert and Anthony — both in their mid 20s — posted on social media of their excitement at departing for Europe to do some travelling.

“Met this bloke in grade 6, ran a business together and now taking our first adventure off to Europe together, what else could you ask for in a friendship?” Mr Colombini said on Instagram.

Mr Bogdanovski said excitedly that the duo were “gonna tear Europe a new one”.

Anthony Colombini. Picture: Facebook

Rob Bogdanovski. Picture: Facebook

Barcelona was just their second stop, after having spent a few days on the party island of Ibiza catching up with other Melbourne friends.

The group fled Spain on ­Friday night for Malta, Ms ­Bogdanovski said.

Robert is yet to decide whether he will continue on his five- week adventure, while Anthony has been joined by his family.

“At least for now he’s not coming home,” Ms Bogdanovski said. “I can’t wait for him to be back here out of harm’s way.”

Christian Gaylard, the father of one of the other men travelling with the duo, said the group had received little to no support from the Department of Foreign Affairs following the attack.

“There’s been no assistance for these young guys. I’m really disappointed in the government,” he said.

“I got a phone call from Julie Bishop’s department and all they’ve done is told them to contact their travel insurer.

“The boys didn’t want to leave the hotel because they were so shocked.

“Where is the help after what they’ve been through?”

A close friend of the men, Darcy Krywy said: “Anth and Rob are safe and well. They had a tough couple of days but they are thankful that they walked away with injuries that aren’t life-threatening.”

- With Aneeka Simonis

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@ChanelKinni