The victim of a hit-and-run in Southland has spoken about cheating death as he continues his recovery.
Ryan Phillips was struck by a vehicle near Invercargill in September while walking home after a night out. On Wednesday, he returned to that spot.
The last time Nathan Phillips saw his son at that spot was the morning of September 25.
"That's where he was. His head was by the centre line and his feet were facing towards the road."
Ryan was left fighting for his life on Marama Avenue South after being hit by a truck.
The 19-year-old told Newshub he doesn't remember any of it.
"Wouldn't have even known it."
Ryan went into an induced coma and underwent two major surgeries, with one in Dunedin.
"There's a plate that just goes across under my eye," he said.
The other surgery was in Invercargill.
"With my pelvis, they had to screw the left side in the front because there's three breaks in it."
Yet still, he was lucky.
"When the paramedics from the chopper said this is 50/50, it sort of dawned on me, especially when I looked at him and thought, 'I don't know about this'," Nathan said.
A witness saw the incident happen and called for help.
"If that person wasn't there and Ryan got run over and that driver kept driving, he wouldn't be here. So for them, I really am eternally grateful, I don't know how to thank them," Nathan said.
His father is constantly reminded of what happened on Marama Avenue South.
"So, Nathan, for you this is a road you take every day, is it?" Newshub asked.
"Yes, every morning and night," Nathan replied.
Ryan will cross paths again with the person responsible. It's understood a meeting is planned as part of sentencing next year.
"To be honest, I'm not really sure what I'd say. I do, in a way, feel bad for him," Ryan said.
"I had said at the start I'd shake his hand and thank him for handing himself in, which I'll still do," said Nathan.
Ryan made it home just three weeks ago to continue his recovery.
"It's a miracle ... I don't know how he's done it," Nathan said.
Ryan has a third and final surgery on his wrist to go in the New Year.
"You've gotta think, you're still walking the Earth, gotta just keep positive."
