An Australian family from Melbourne City are claiming their son was saved by a miracle when he was involved in a near fatal car crash, close to the Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu Shrine in Melbourne.

A year ago Daniel Huf, then 31, crashed in his Porsche and was given up for dead by paramedics at the scene.

By the time the undertaker came, however, the lifeless body had started twitching; his chest moved up and down spasmodically, irregularly. His faint wrist pulse indicated there was a sign of life again.

The crash left him looking like he had been blasted in the face with a shotgun: his bottom jaw was broken in six places, sections were missing, he had broken eye sockets, cheek and nasal bones. Bits of Porsche and debris were embedded in his wound.

A year on, after no less than 10 operations, Mr Huf is leading a normal life.

The accident took place on the Western Highway. Overlooking the scene of the crash there is a huge cross on the top of a hill at Our Lady Ta’ Pinu shrine.

His parents, Lutheran Pastor Colin and Betty Huf, told Australian media that the cross now stands as a sign. “God was looking out for Daniel; he was meant to survive, with or without the help of humans.” They believe that it is a gift from God they still have their eldest son.

Mgr Benedict Camilleri, director of the shrine, alerted timesofmalta.com to the story that has hit the news in Australia and is being headlined as an alleged miracle of Our Lady Ta’ Pinu Shrine.

According to Josette Salomon, secretary of Our Lady Ta’ Pinu Shrine,
this ‘miracle claim’ seems to be re-affirmed by certain authorities involved with the incident, including the State Emergency Services and the director of the burial service called at the car crash scene.

“We thank God in advance for the miracles that happen in future,” Ms Salomon said.