Man makes 'miracle recovery' after head-on collision

A man who was given less than a five percent chance of survival after a head-on smash has made a full recovery.

Jacob Fry was driving through Victoria’s Phillip Island in 2009 when he collided with a semi-trailer.

Flown via helicopter to the Alfred Hospital, Mr Fry was given little hope.

“I had very severe injuries…a fractured skull, five broken ribs that slashed my liver, ruptured spleen and colon, punctured lung, bruised kidneys, broken fibular and tibia,” he told 9NEWS.

“And I lost my little toe.”

Beating the odds, Mr Fry recovered faster than doctors expected, and was released from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after just seven days.

After two months of rehab, he was back at home.

The survivor paid tribute to the “incredible” staff at the Alfred Hospital, which is one of Melbourne’s busiest hospitals.

“They’re 10/10,” he said.

The hospital today unveiled its new multi-million emergency and trauma centre, which was possible thanks to donations.

“It’s amazing to see how charity can change and save lives,” Director of Emergency Services at Alfred Health and Director of The Alfred Emergency and Trauma Centre,  Pieter De Villiers Smit, said.

Boosting treatment spaces from 52 to 71, the centre also features a trauma cubicle.

“We’ve added a second CT scanner… and we've added the areas called RITZ (Rapid Intervention and Treatment Zone) where senior doctors will work to ensure patients get seen very quickly.”