Barcelona attack: Melbourne mates who cheated death

It was supposed to be an adventure in Europe for two Melbourne friends who had known each other since primary school.

Instead Robert Bogdanovski and Anthony Colombini were caught at the centre of the Las Ramblas terror attack in Barcelona attempting to escape the path of a van moving towards them mowing down anything in its way. 

‘The driver swerved and collected Robert and then dragged Anthony down the street,’ Robert’s mum Vesna Bogdanovski told the Herald Sun. 

The trip was supposed to be an adventure in Europe for two Melbourne friends who had known each other since primary school

Now Ms Bogdanovski is thanking God her son was able to get out alive.  

The pair saw the van as it approached them at 80 km/hr as they walked down the thoroughfare however had no time to react.

Robert’s feet were crushed but he was able to get up and begin searching for his best mate.

He found Anthony and the pair hid away in a nearby shop as the menacing driver continued on his rampage for half a kilometre before escaping.

Both of the men in their mid-20s were able to walk away with minor injuries.  

‘Robert called his dad and I in the morning and the conversation felt so fast, I didn’t get a chance to really talk to him, I was simply told he was OK and had severe feet bruising,’ Ms Bogdanovski told the Herald Sun.

The pair saw the van as it approached them at 80 km/hr as they walked down the thoroughfare however had no time to react and were ran down 

Only one week ago the duo were expressing their excitement for their impending travels, not knowing the fate before them. 

After having spent some time in Ibiza the lads then headed off to Barcelona where they were caught in the shocking tragedy.

Robert is now deciding whether he will continue on the five-week journey he had planned. 

Anthony’s family have left Australia to be by his side. 

‘At least for now he’s not coming home,’ Ms Bogdanovski said. ‘I can’t wait for him to be back here out of harm’s way.’