Mother will never leave son again

Dorothy, Mark and Rene Antonio. When Mark smiled, his eyes bled. Photo / Janna Dixon

A mother's love is needed more than ever in a time of crisis.

Mark Antonio, 25, was only steps from home when a driver knocked him down and left him for dead.

His mother made a transtasman dash to be by his side and says she will never leave him again.

Today they will express their gratitude in church and spend an extra-special Mother's Day at home.

Mark's father, Rene, was cooking dinner when he heard sirens in the street. When he joined the neighbours outside, he had no idea who the injured man was.

The Glenfield street was covered in blood. A few minutes later, a policeman told Rene the victim's name.

"My knees fell on the ground. I said to the officer: 'He's my son'."

Mark's mother, Dorothy, was in Melbourne, preparing to move the family to Australia.

"My sister called me. I panicked, I cried. I just thought 'We have to fly'. I immediately came back home."

She arrived at Auckland City Hospital the next day.

Mark's younger brothers, Michael and Martin, had gathered with friends to pray for Mark's recovery.

"When I went to look at Mark I didn't recognise him - his face was so big."

When Mark smiled, blood flowed from his eyes. Seeing her son was too much for Dorothy. "I went and cried outside the room."

"He said, 'Ma, are you going back to Australia?' I said 'No, I will take care of you'."

Mark is still bruised and may need plastic surgery for his facial injuries. A metal bolt in his arm has led to friends calling him Iron Man.

Rene said the family believed in miracles. As Mark recovered, Rene said their faith was vindicated. "Every day was a different miracle."

Mark had no recollection of getting hit that night. His parents said that was probably a good thing.

Rene said the road layout limited reaction times for pedestrians and drivers.

"The road needs a pedestrian crossing. I have seen a lot of accidents."

The 76-year-old driver was later turned in by his family.

Police confiscated the man's licence but it could be months before he is charged.