Footy player in miracle comeback as star announces return one year on from escaping death in horrific car crash

Bachar Houli will return to footy just over one year on from narrowly escaping death following a terrible car crash.

The three-time premiership player was airlifted to hospital and spent weeks in care with serious injuries when a ute he was travelling in rolled while on a camping trip in Canberra.

Houli underwent surgery at a Melbourne hospital after suffering a broken pelvis, and has largely kept away from the spotlight during his recovery.

But now the 232-game champion will return to the footy field with Victorian local club Newport in the Western Football Netball League. 

‘We are super excited to announce that Bachar Houli will be playing with Newport in 2025,’ the club said in an Instagram post. 

‘A local man, a great man, an icon of the game. We cant wait to see him in the maroon, black and gold in 2025.’ 

When the accident happened, then Tigers chief executive Brendon Gale said the premiership hero was ‘in a pretty bad way’ and was at the beginning of a long journey to recovery.

Houli’s brother-in-law, Khaled, was also injured in the crash.

The Richmond hero suffered a life-threatening car crash while on a camping holiday

Two weeks after the accident, Houli shared a video message in which he shared his relief that his injuries were not fatal.

‘I hope everyone’s having a fantastic day. I just wanted to share this short message as a means of gratitude,’ Houli, a father-of-three, said.

‘I just wanted to show my gratitude for all those caring people out here who have asked about my progress. I’ve had a successful operation for my pelvis, which had a fair bit of damage in it. That’s obviously taken care of.’

Houli, a devout Muslim, adopted a glass half full approach to his serious accident. 

‘The fact that I’m able to breathe again, to have another opportunity in life that the Almighty has given me,’ he said.

‘Because it could’ve been very well been much worse.

‘He truly tests those who he loves. I’m taking it to mean that the Almighty loves me and he’s put me through this test. And there’s wisdom behind it.

‘Someone who truly loves Allah, the one and only, someone who is faithful, and Allah puts him through this test, he wants to see how they respond.

‘Allah wants to see that even in times of hardship each, are you still grateful? By Allah, I am so grateful. By Allah, I am so, so grateful.’