Ben Hyde never imagined he would be the story.

As deputy editor of The Advertiser in Adelaide, Australia, he was used to reporting on road trauma and tragedy which happened to others. He knew from telling other people’s stories that one brush with a criminal driver could forever change the life of an innocent motorist.

Hyde, a beloved husband and dad of two young sons, became that innocent person on October 4, 2021.

He had just finished working on the final edition of The Advertiser newspaper and was a two-minute drive from the newsroom in the Adelaide CBD when a drug-addled driver smashed into him from behind at more than 170 kmh/105 mph.

His life would have ended in the fiery wreck of his car if not for heroic police and an army corporal who happened to come past.

Heroic rescue 

With flames shooting from his almost obliterated car, they tore the window frame down, using brute strength to create a hole just big enough to pull Hyde out.

He was lifeless, not breathing, and had no detectable pulse. The heroes commenced CPR on the side of the road, reviving him to life.

They delivered him into the hands of paramedics, then to doctors and nurses who saved his life whilst he lay in a coma with a shopping list of injuries: broken bones, ruptured organs, third-degree burns, and a traumatic brain injury which will haunt him for the rest of his life. 

Once the reckless driver was jailed after a court case, Hyde set about telling his own story through the eyes of the heroes who saved his life.

Turning tragedy into a documentary

The result was the documentary “While I Was Sleeping,” a piece of work as heartwarming as it is heart-wrenching. In it, Hyde retraced what he had missed while he was in the coma and interviewed those who saved his life.  

“I never got into journalism to do stories about myself, but it became pretty apparent during my recovery, and hearing what had happened, that there was not only a very compelling story there but some very important messages to try and spread,” Hyde said.

“Firstly, showing the trauma of traffic crashes and how easy it is to alter the course of someone’s life through negligent and irresponsible actions, and making sure that people don’t take getting behind the wheel for granted. It’s not just their safety they need to worry about but all road users.

“The other great takeaway I felt had to be told was the greatness of human nature. This was particularly the case in the light of pretty extreme adversity, whether that was people running toward a burning car and the smell of petrol and the possibility of an explosion at any time and using their brute strength to pull me out of it or the incredible work of health professionals who in reality do that kind of work day in, day out, but do it without any kind of fuss, spotlight or adulation for the amazing work they do.”

Connecting with an audience

The documentary launched in November 2024 at a premier screening at an Adelaide theatre, attended by the South Australia Premier, Peter Malinauskas; police leaders; the heroes who helped save Hyde; and his family, friends, and colleagues.

Neely Karimi, the Advertiser video editor, oversaw the documentary, and Ruicheng Liang edited the work, a world-class production that set video viewing records for The Advertiser. 

“People experience and discover life in different ways, and documentary filmmaking is a lens through which I explore the world,” Liang said.

“I love the richness and complexities of real-life stories, and I use documentary storytelling to connect people, promote discussion, and inspire meaningful change.”

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