A tradie has relived his road rage nightmare after surviving an axe attack following a minor crash.
Rico Nekelo says he's lucky to be alive but now has to cope with the mental and physical scars from the attack in Melbourne.
He was on his way to see a mate last month but instead came close to death.
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"On the scene I was definitely dying. I was getting cold and yeah, my eyes are starting to shut," he told 9News.
The horror road rage attack unfolded after an erratic driver collided with Nekelo's car in Cranbourne on April 6.
The 21-year-old said he copped an axe to the back, twice.
"I pretty much got out of the car, and he got out at the same time with an axe and Yeah, I just started running," he said.
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His injuries were so severe his surgeon said he was lucky to be alive.
His sister Charlotte Vemoa said it was a "very violent attack for something that was very minor".
While Rekelo's out of hospital, he's still carrying the scars of the nightmare ordeal.
"I would say it's, it's been very hard as an older sibling to watch," Vemoa said.
His mother, Mate Carnahan, said it had been mentally hard for loved ones, who felt helpless and were desperate for support.
"So the victim assistance program. I've been trying to reach out to them since the hospital, so maybe five weeks now," Nekelo said.
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His mother said the government was failing victims.
"He didn't ask this to happen to him. They're failing," she said.
His alleged attacker was arrested at the scene but arrested pending further inquiries.
Meanwhile, Nekelo will be unable to work for months.
"It's an everyday struggle," he said.