Father Hugs Son As Cable Car Plummets Toward Ground And It's Why The 5-Year-Old Is Still Alive
June 09, 2023
A father hugs his son for the last time during a cable car tragedy in the Alps. And the final embrace is how 5-year-old Eitan Biran survived.
Tragedy can strike at any moment. Its timing is never welcome. And far too often, it cuts through some of our best moments, stealing the joy felt only seconds before.
RELATED: Heroic Dad Fights For Life After Diving Head First Off Balcony To Save His Son
This was the case for the family of Eitan Biran. Eitan along with his parents, 2-year-old brother, and maternal great-grandparents were enjoying a family outing in Italy in 2021. But tragedy stalked them up the mountainside in the Western Alps. And as it struck, a father hugs his son during the fateful plummet that would forever change everything for the 5-year-old boy.
Father Hugs Son During Fatal Crash
The family is originally from Israel but now lived in Northern Italy where Eitan's father, Amit Biran, worked at a clinic. With great-grandparents visiting, the family ventured out on a Sunday to visit a scenic location in the Alps. Sadly, though, they never made it to their destination.
The travel to the location included riding up the mountain in a cable car. But at some point during the journey, a cable snapped, sending the cable car plummeting to the ground below.
Eitan's father hugs his son during the 65-foot plunge -- the only form of protection he could offer his child. But because of this act, Eitan Biran emerged as the lone survivor of the crash.
Fourteen other souls inside the cable car lost their lives. And the heartbreaking fatalities included Amit and Tal, Eitan Biran's parents, his little brother Tom, and great-grandparents, Barbara Cohen Konisky and Yitzhak Cohen.
Eitan Biran Condition After Father Hugs Son In Cable Car Accident
Miraculously, 5-year-old Eitan Biran survived.
"Where is my mum?" the 5-year-old reportedly asked as medics responding to the crash sedated him.
RELATED: Selfless Mother Uses Her Body To Shield Baby As Their Plane Goes Down
He sustained serious head and leg injuries. But the deepest wound he'll carry is the traumatic loss of his immediate family and the knowledge that the hug that saved him was also the last the son will ever receive from his father.
#Italy: Israeli boy Eitan Biran survived the horrific cable car crash that killed his parents, younger brother and two great-grandparents. The five-year-old remains in critical condition in a #Turin hospital pic.twitter.com/0lPtTmzDig
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) May 24, 2021
After spending several days intubated and sedated in the hospital, Eitan finally woke up. Surrounded by his aunt and other grandparents, they carefully broke the news that the 5-year-old boy had been orphaned.
“He is learning it through his family and psychologists, with all the sensitivity of the case,” said the family's lawyer, Cristina Pagni. "Fortunately, his aunt, paternal grandmother, and maternal grandfather are next to him. Other relatives have come up from Israel, it is a large family that is doing everything possible to help him together with the psychologists."
Prayers For Cable Car Survivor, Eitan Biran, 5
There's no doubt Eitan's loved ones will do all they can to help the young child process and work through the horrifying news. Ultimately, though, it will take his Heavenly Father to heal such tremendous anguish.
Our hearts and prayers go out to this family during this extremely difficult time. No father hugs his son expecting it to be the last time. This story is a reminder of just how fragile life is. But thanks to the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, death doesn't get the final say.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Dad’s Final Moments Caught In Photo Just Before He Loses Life Saving Son
Our time on earth is temporary but so is our tragedy and suffering. What comes next is an everlasting life with Jesus!
"When you are not certain what will take place tomorrow. What is your life? It is a mist, which is seen for a little time and then is gone. But the right thing to say would be, 'If it is the Lord's pleasure and if we are still living, we will do this and that.'" James 4:14-15
WATCH: Cable Car Accident In Italy
LISTEN: Man Trapped At Sea Spent More Than 14 Hours Clinging To Buoy And Waiting For Rescue | Selfless Mom Died Saving Her Twin Boys After Using Her Body To Shield Them In Crash
h/t: Newsner
Featured Image Credit: Twitter/i24NEWS
Mel is the senior writer for GodUpdates, finding, writing and sharing Christian, uplifting, and health-related stories from around the world. Mel has a passion for writing and graduated with a degree in English from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia. When she’s not researching and writing stories, Mel is very active in her church. You can usually find Mel playing board games with her husband and two young girls, giving someone a hug, or hunting down a good cup of coffee!
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Past Stories
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
- UPS Driver Jumps into Action As He Spots Elderly Woman on the Ground & Says It Was All God
- Rescuer Braces for the Worst After Spotting Kitten on the Side of the Road, Then Sees a Paw Move
- AJ Griffin Gives Up High-Paying Career with NBA to Follow God
- These Former Conjoined Twins Finally Go Home After Their First Birthday
- Teenager From Iowa Uses His Flying Skills to Help Hurricane Helene Victims
- Son Saves For 9 Months and Surprises Mom By Paying Off Her Mortgage
- Woman's Home is Surrounded By 100 Raccoons, and They Aren't Leaving Anytime Soon
- Dog Saves Her Owner's Life By Sitting in the Middle of the Road
- Widower Shares the Last Thing His Wife Told Their Son Before She Passed Away From Cancer
- A Nurse Saved Her Life 35 Years Ago, Now, She is Surprising Her With a Visit
- These Twin Sisters Have An Important Message To Share On Their 102nd Birthday
- This Brave 5-Year-Old Saved Her Mother's Life By Calling 911
- 79-Year-Old Broke Her Ankle After Scattering Her Mom's Ashes, Then Strangers Save the Day
- Dad Travels Through Mud and Debris to Walk His Daughter Down the Aisle
- Owner's Trip to the Vet with Unwell Dog Results in the Craziest X-Ray
- After Getting Lost in Yellowstone, This Precious Cat Made His Way Back Home To California
- Mom's Funny Response To Daughter's Dirty Sock On The Floor Goes Viral & Ends Up Doing Good
- A Kidnapped Boy Is Found After 70 Years and Reunited With His Family
- This Puppy Was Found With a Note That Read 'Help Me,' Now He's Looking For a New Home
- Excited Mom Couldn't Wait to See Son's Back to School Pictures, but Funny Results Make Her LOL
- When This Police Officer Pulled Her Over, He Changed Her Life Forever
- She Just Met Her Vietnam Veteran Father After 50 Years, Now He is Walking Her Down the Aisle
- Fearless Father Waits on Porch to Catch the Stranger Peeking in His Daughter's Window
- This 5th Grade Teacher Eats Lunch In the Cafeteria Every Day
- Amy Grant Has a New Perspective After Losing Her 'Superpower' in Bike Accident
- 'God Did It' Says 18-Year-Old After Waking Up From a Coma Following a Crash
- These Four Sisters Share a Birthday, Which is Quite the Miracle
- Dad Harmony Sings a Beautiful A Cappella Rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love'
- Couple's Outstanding Boogie Woogie Dance Performance
- Siblings’ Cover of Dolly Parton’s Classic ‘I Will Always Love You’ Is Incredible
- Pastor and Wife Were Killed in a Car Accident, But Their Kids Have a Message of Hope
- Outstanding 'Amazing Grace' Cover Music Video by Celtic Woman
- Carrie Underwood Helps With Leading Worship at Tennessee Church
- 8-Year-Old Kid's To-Do List Goes Viral As a Wholesome Reminder for Us All
- 'Holy Forever' Lyric Video by Chris Tomlin and CAIN
- Elementary Teacher Talks About the Power of Words and Kindness By Using Toothpaste
- Prayers Pour in for Loretta Lynn's Family After the Death of the Late Singer's First Grandchild
- Dennis Quaid Singing 'On My Way To Heaven" is an Inspiring Performance
- Charming Elderly Couple Share Sweet Dance to 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"
- Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick Adorably Sing a Sassy Duet to Celebrate 36 Years of Marriage
- Rory Feek Performs Beautiful Tune 'I Do' After Finding Love Again
- Driver Shows Up to Deliver Pizza to Elderly Man's House, Then Comes Back with His Lawnmower
- What Parents & Grandparents Don't Know About 'Easy' Recipe Trend Could Be Dangerous
- Nearly 1,500 Students Gather to Worship Jesus at Texas A&M Revival
- 96-Year-Old Shares the Secret to a Happy Life and His Words of Wisdom Are Truly Inspiring
- In God's Divine Timing, Wedding Ring Is Returned to Man's Widow After It's Lost for 60+ Years
- Rock Singer's Powerful Rendition of 'I Will Always Love You'
Top Music Videos
CCM Magazine Steven Curtis Chapman Shares the Heartfelt Message that Helped While Grieving His Daughter
Crowder Crowder Moving Official 'Somebody Prayed' Music Video
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Mandisa Mandisa - Shackles (Praise You)
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson 'The Cross' Powerful Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.