Father loses both legs after throwing himself across his daughters to save them ... trends now
A brave father lost both of his legs after trying to defend his two young daughters when a mechanical road snow blower crashed into them at a ski resort in Northern California.
Dave Miln and his wife Clare were taking three-year-old Isla and one-year-old Anna to ski lessons at Mammoth Mountain on the early morning of December 15 when the vehicle ran into them.
The Australian Defence Force veteran, who had been living in San Diego, California, threw himself over the children to try to stop them from being pulled into the machine.
He managed to keep Anna under his body, but Isla sustained significant injuries, with Dave trapped in the machine for more than an hour until rescuers were able to free him and relocate to a hospital, remaining conscious throughout the experience.
Pictured: Dave Miln after surgery in hospital. He and his wife Clare were taking three-year-old Isla and one-year-old Anna to ski lessons at Mammoth Mountain on the early morning of December 15 when the vehicle ran into him and his family
Pictured: Isla, 3. Isla suffered breaks in both of her legs and her pelvis, as well as other wounds. After several surgeries she is expected to make a full recovery
Pictured: Dave's wife Clare and their daughter, Isla. Clare raised the alarm during the incident and authorities were able to get Anna quickly to a local hospital
Pictured: A snow blower (file photo). Dave was trapped in the machine for over an hour until rescuers were able to free him and relocate to a hospital, 'remaining conscious the whole time'.
Clare raised the alarm and authorities were able to rush Isla over to a local hospital, accompanied by her mother and sister, according to a GoFundMe page started by family friend Tsen Bogan to help the family.
Dave's injuries resulted in a double amputation, one above the knee of the left and below the knee on the right.
He also both femurs, pelvis, a number of his lower vertebrae, a sacral and three ribs.
Dave underwent 10 different surgeries in three weeks and still has many more surgeries expected, according to Bogan.
Isla suffered breaks in both of her legs and her pelvis, as well as other wounds. After several surgeries she is expected to make a full recovery.
Mechanical road snow blowers are designed to clear snow and widen passages. The tractors are mechanically or hydraulically driven. Some feature a corkscrew-like blade, which pulls up the snow before it is blown out to the side
