While I Was Sleeping: Advertiser journalist Ben Hyde shares his survival against all odds in new documentary

Three years ago, Advertiser journalist Ben Hyde nearly lost his life in a catastrophic crash. For the first time, he’s telling his story of recovery against all odds – to save the lives of others.

When former deputy editor of The Advertiser Ben Hyde left work on October 4, 2021, he set off on his usual route home – ready to see his beautiful family and return to the office the next day, the same as the thousands of days before it.

A top journalist who was rising through the management ranks, Ben, then 34, sent a text to his wife Tania to let her know he was on his way.

But he never arrived.

Just after 10.10pm, as Ben turned onto West Tce in the Adelaide CBD, he was hit by drugged driver Luigi Gligora, who was travelling at 170km/h. The impact was catastrophic.

Trapped unconscious in a burning car, its rear crumpled beyond recognition, Ben suffered injuries that could have killed him if not for the heroic actions of first responders.

Now, for the first time, Ben is sharing his story in the form of a powerful documentary, retracing how the fateful night unfolded and the aftermath that followed.

In While I Was Sleeping, Ben speaks to those who helped save his life as he pieces together how – against all odds – police, those on the scene, medical experts and a powerful support network helped put him back together again.

Those good Samaritans include a then-Australian Army corporal who helped pull him from the burning wreck, an ICU nurse whose professionalism provided critical calm to Ben’s traumatised family, and a team of the state’s most skilled doctors and surgeons.

Ben Hyde has produced a new documentary, While I Was Sleeping, about the heroes who saved his life after a near-fatal crash on West Tce in 2021. Picture: Tom Huntley

But While I Was Sleeping is about more than just Ben’s journey of resilience and determination.

Ben first dreamt of being a journalist as a schoolkid – but never imagined he would be the story. For him, the documentary is not just to celebrate those who saved his life. It is about saving the lives of others.

“I’m hopeful that it can send a really strong road safety message, as well as highlight some incredible feats of humanity that can often go by without the recognition they deserve,” he said.

“And if it provides anyone with a bit of hope and inspiration, that’s all the better too.”

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* WATCH THE FULL DOCUMENTARY

* READ BEN’S STORY IN HIS OWN WORDS

*ARRIVE ALIVE CAMPAIGN LAUNCH

In telling his story, Ben hopes to shine stark light on the devastating ripple effects of road trauma, which are felt far beyond those injured or killed.

To this day, Tania suffers post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of what she experienced in the terror of that night, and in the weeks and months that followed.

Ben’s oldest son Oliver, now eight, struggled to sleep over continuing anxiety that his dad would not return home.

Ben with his wife Tania and boys Oliver, 8, and Ari, 5. Picture: Brett Hartwig

From friends and family to responders, witnesses and the wider community, each crash has a profound impact, both physically and mentally, on those who love and care for its victims.

“Our immediate friends, our immediate family … (Ben’s) workplace, the school community that we’re now a part of, everybody has been affected by what’s happened in their own way,” Tania said.

SA Police Traffic Services Branch officer in charge Superintendent Darren Fielke said already this year 72 people had died on our roads and 681 had received serious injuries.

“Ben is fortunate that he is still with us today after having been involved in a serious crash, and we are fortunate that Ben has been able to produce this documentary that highlights the journey he is now on,” he said.

“The documentary brings into sharp focus how serious car crashes impact the lives of ordinary people, sometimes through no fault of their own.

“It also serves as an important reminder that road safety is the responsibility of all road users. “The actions you take on the roads could lead to your life being changed, the life of someone you love, or that of a complete stranger.”

Of the hundreds of South Australians seriously injured on the state’s roads each year, about 50 end up under the Lifetime Support Authority for ongoing and often lifelong care and treatment.

Lifetime Support Authority chief executive Rick Howe said participants of the scheme had generally suffered one of five main categories of serious injury – brain, spinal cord, amputation, severe burns and permanent blindness.

Mr Howe said there was a simple message for all road users.

“Very few people go out with deliberately bad behaviour wanting to cause a problem …(but) you are piloting a lethal weapon,” he said.

“You don’t have a right to override other people’s right to live a decent life.”

Ben with ICU nurse Rochelle 'Rocky' Smith (back left) and Burns Unit staff Patrick Coghlan (back right), Marcus Wagstaff (front left) and Stuart Harper (front right) at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Picture: Tom Huntley

Good Samaritan Sean Davies, who pulled Ben Hyde from his burning car. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Mr Howe said there was not only an extreme societal loss from a devastating serious injury crash, but also a significant economic cost.
“We’re looking after their rehab, providing the treatment, the care that people need for as long as they need it for the rest of their life,” he said.

“The flow on effect to those people around them is something that gets lost, but is one of the biggest things we have to consider.”

While the road to recovery has been long and the challenges far from over, Ben said he was compelled to share his journey because of the positives he believed could come from it.

“Making this documentary and meeting the people who rescued and revived me and put me back together again has been the most humbling experience of my life, alongside becoming a parent,” he said.

“It may have effectively taken three years to be in this position to release it, but I’m incredibly grateful to still be able to be involved in telling such a story and work with some amazingly talented people to make it happen.”

Premier Peter Malinauskas, who will attend the first screening of While I Was Sleeping, commended Ben for his bravery in telling his story.

“Ben Hyde was heading home from work when his life changed forever. He suffered devastating injuries a result of the reckless, dangerous and criminal actions of a drugged and speeding driver,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“The fact Ben survived is remarkable.

“What is more remarkable though, is the strength that Ben has demonstrated in turning this terrible event into an opportunity to educate others about the real-world effects of reckless road behaviour, and to highlight the efforts of our incredible first responders.”

Originally published as While I Was Sleeping: Advertiser journalist Ben Hyde shares his survival against all odds in new documentary