IT'S been said a thousand times, but a split second's inattention behind the wheel can impact a life in ways never thought possible.
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That was the message of White Hills couple Sharron and Gregory White, who were hit by the same car at a pedestrian crossing at Bendigo Railway Station on Wednesday.
Mr White, 61, fractured his pelvis in three places and was discharged from hospital on Friday. Mrs White, 56, suffered concussion.
The couple had walked to the station to top up their Myki cards ahead of a big trip planned for Friday.
They were going to catch the train to the airport and fly out to New Zealand - the first time the couple had travelled to Mrs White's country of birth since their marriage eight years ago.
The trip had extra significance still.
They wanted to celebrate one year since Mr White underwent a bone marrow transplant after he was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2013.
The Whites planned to travel to New Zealand in January last year, but the diagnosis meant they had to put off the idea.
Wednesday afternoon's accident meant the holiday has now been delayed for a fourth time.
"It was going to be a new beginning for us, a new start," Mrs White said.
"We're devastated that we had to cancel again."
The injuries to Mr White mean it could be at least three months before he can get on a plane again.
Mrs White said she still has trouble holding her head up after the accident.
She said it all happened very quickly.
"I was walking on the left of Gregory and heard him alert me to something suddenly," she said.
"He put his hands up to something, and then I completely lost balance. I felt my head bounce back off the ground I hit it so hard."
Ambulances rushed to the scene as the driver also vigorously apologised.
Mrs White said she wanted the accident to be a lesson to others to keep their eye on the road at all times.
"We just want to show people how a moment's lapse can affect someone's life in so many ways," Mrs White said.
"It can just turn your life upside down."