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‘It’s not the end of the road’: Mum becomes Christmas miracle after horror crash

A Melbourne mother has been labelled an 'inspiration' after she survived 50 operations following a horror head-on car crash on Christmas Eve.

WARNING GRAPHIC PHOTOS BELOW

Julie Metaxotos almost bled to death at the scene of a crash in Kilmore three years ago, but her will to live pulled her from an almost certain death.

Julie Metaxotos almost bled to death at a Kilmore crash scene. Source: 7News
Julie Metaxotos almost bled to death at a Kilmore crash scene. Source: 7News
Ms Metaxotos now with her son James. Source: 7News
Ms Metaxotos now with her son James. Source: 7News

The heroic mum has since documented her journey in a new book in a bid to help inspire other crash survivors.

“I was lucky to be alive because the first thing, I was trapped in the car and it took 50 minutes to get me out,” she said.

Julie Metaxotos in hospital. Source: 7News
Julie Metaxotos in hospital. Source: 7News
With some of her rescuers. Source: 7News
With some of her rescuers. Source: 7News

Ms Metaxotos had been Christmas shopping before the crash which left her with two neck fractures, a punctured lung, fractured sternum, broken elbow, wrist and knee, and two broken legs.

“The fact that she survived all of this is really quite amazing,” plastic surgeon Dr Edward Ek said.

Julie Metaxotos on the road to recovery. Source: 7News
Julie Metaxotos on the road to recovery. Source: 7News

As her body was reconstructed after the crash, Ms Metaxotos spent three months in a halo, nine months in hospital, and underwent 50 operations and rigorous rehabilitation in order to get back on her feet.

“I’ve never met someone who is so determined and resilient,” the nurses said.

Ms Metaxotos on the road to recovery. Source: 7News
Ms Metaxotos on the road to recovery. Source: 7News

“She honestly pushed through everything that was thrown at her, overcame every adversity and is still here,” Ms Metaxotos’s son James added. “That’s a miracle in itself.”

Ms Metaxotos’s book 'A Fractured Life' aims to help the more than 20,000 people involved in Victorian car crashes each year.

“It’s not the end of the road and there is life after road trauma,” Ms Metaxotos said.

Julie Metaxotos aims to help other crash survivors. Source: 7News
Julie Metaxotos aims to help other crash survivors. Source: 7News