Flinders St rampage: Son’s distressing mid-collision call

A 13-year-old boy has been left traumatised after hearing his father get hit as the car ran into pedestrians in Melbourne yesterday.

Rohit Kaul, left, with his wife Natasha. Kaul was on his way home from work and on the phone to his son Avi when he was struck by the car on Flinders Street.

A 13-year-old boy has been left traumatised after hearing his father get hit by the car that slammed into pedestrians in Melbourne yesterday.

Rohit Kaul was on his way home from work and on the phone to his son Avi when he was struck by the white SUV, being driven by Saeed Noori.

Mr Kaul, 45, sustained a broken leg and fractured ribs and was transferred to The Alfred hospital where he underwent surgery and is now in a stable condition.

His wife Natasha Kaul told The Age that while she is grateful her husband survived the attack, their son was still shaken after hearing the incident as it happened.

“It is a hard day,” Mrs Kaul said.

“We could hear screaming in the background and people shouting. He said ‘Mama, something is wrong’. He got scared and started to panic.”

Mrs Kaul said a couple walking in front of her husband turned around to attend to him and called her back.

“He said don’t panic, but your husband is injured. They were very helpful and calmed me down.

“I spoke to Rohit and he told me he was fine but he kept fainting. I’m thankful he has no major injuries.”

Ethan Caruso, 17, was side-swiped by the car after pushing a friend out of harm’s way as they crossed the road.

The heroic teen sustained foot, neck, shoulder and elbow injuries, for which he has been treated at hospital, and is expected to make a quick recovery.

His dad Peter recalled to The Age a phone conversation with his son after the vehicle attack.

“I rang him up and he said ‘Dad, I nearly died today’ and I thought ‘What the hell?’ We were all in shock,” Mr Caruso said.