Flinders St attack: teen victim sideswiped by attacker

FAST-thinking teen hero Ethan Caruso shoved his mate Andre Feliciani to safety as the white Suzuki SUV careered down Flinders St, and it missed him by just 10cm.

TEN centimetres is all that stood between safety and a ­catastrophe.

A fast-thinking teen hero shoved his mate to safety as the car careered down Flinders St, and it missed him by just 10cm.

Ethan Caruso, 17, also narrowly dodged being struck after saving his friend’s life, only to be hit by a flying body after another man was struck and sent into the air.

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Ethan Caruso with his friend Andre Feliciani. Picture: Alex Coppel

The force of the push has bruised Andre Feliciani’s chest but the 15-year-old said it was a small price to pay.

“This car was barrelling towards me and the next minute I was on the ground, I didn't even know what threw me there,” he said. “The car was about 10cm away from me and I would have been hit if Ethan didn’t push me out of the way.

“He saved my life — I guess I do owe a lot to him.”

The mates had just finished in a hobby shop, went to cross the road to go home, and found themselves in the midst of the horror.

“First, we heard screeching, then thuds then this car coming directly towards us. Andre was dead centre and I just pushed him out of the way,” Ethan said. “The car then just went on ploughing through so many people.”

Ethan, 17, and his dad Peter Caruso. Picture: Supplied

FLINDERS STREET INCIDENT: WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR

The car sideswiped Ethan but with adrenaline running through his body, he had not realised the full extent of his injuries and jumped on a tram to head home. He went to hospital later on that night and was released after his foot became swollen, bruised and was in a lot of pain.

“I am feeling pretty lucky right now. I am just happy to be alive,” Ethan said.

While on the ground, Andre could see a person on the banged-up SUV’s windshield, and Ethan recalled just seeing bodies littered on the bitumen covered in blood.

Paramedics took 20 injured people to hospitals throughout Melbourne.

Ethan Caruso with his parents Peter Caruso and Anna Bucci. Picture: Alex Coppel

Four people have been discharged, 14 people remain in hospital, three of whom are critical.

The first to be rushed to hospital were the youngest victim, a four-year-old South ­Korean boy, and his dad.

Rebecca Larrigan, who sustained back injuries, broken bones and bruising, told the Herald Sun she wanted to be reunited with the people who sat with her on the road, comforting her.

“Physically, I have copped one hell of a hit,’’ Ms Larrigan said from her hospital bed.

Flinders St attack survivor Rebecca Larrigan. Picture: Supplied

“I will say a big thank you, though, to the police and emergency workers that did come to help and the bystanders stopping to sit by our sides and hold our hands.

“I owe my life to them and am very grateful.

“Everything is still very much hard to remember but their comfort was amazing.”

During the attack, a 13-year-old boy heard his father get hit by the car while they were on the phone together.

Rohit Kaul was on his way home from work when he was struck, the impact flinging his phone from his hand.

Rohit Kaul. Picture: Supplied

A couple phoned Mr Kaul’s wife back to let her know that although injured, he was alive.

Nine of the victims were from Venezuela, China, Italy, South Korea, India, Ireland and New Zealand.

Witness accounts reveal how complete strangers rushed to the aid of the many injured, some using bare hands to stop bleeding.

Civilians also brushed away police and ambulance officers from people they were comforting, telling them they were conscious, pointing them towards others who appeared unconscious.

Justin Davidraj leapt to the help of one lady and constantly checked for her pulse.

“I did not allow her to get up and spoke to her constantly telling her that she was OK,” he said.

“Another bystander got water and washed her blood that was splashed all over her face and from not going into her mouth.”

Seven of the 50-plus paramedics who attended the scene were first-year graduates and eight were second year.

Ambulance Victoria State Health Commander Paul Holman said all the victims had more than three injuries.

“Just because we are trained doesn’t mean it is not frightening. You never get used to scenes like this,” he said.

“It’s really quite a miracle no one was killed at the scene.”

Human generosity even extended to The Alfred hospital, where a special room was set up for distressed family members of victims, with volunteers making them coffee and comforting them. Witness Ruby, who asked for her surname to be withheld, phoned triple-0 screaming: “Corner of Elizabeth and Flinders, corner of Elizabeth and Flinders. Just come here! Ambulance and police, ambulance and police”.

“Like how you would strike in tenpin bowling and the pins going flying. Basically, that’s how it was,’’ she said.

“The humans were just flying over the car like they were nothing.”

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Friday: “Everyday Australians rushed to the aid of those that had been injured, just as they always do.”