Family and friends of a cafe worker are so relieved to have him home after three died in a siege in Australia.

Former Plume School pupil Elliott Vale had been working as a barista at the Lindt Chocolate Cafe in Sydney, Australia, for about three months prior to the shocking gun drama, which saw central Sydney in lockdown as 17 were taken hostage.

But Elliott, a former Wentworth Primary School pupil, evaded the horror after secretly booking a flight home to surprise his family.

In fact, the 23-year-old was oblivious to what had unfolded as he was cut off from the world during his long flight back.

See the MBS for the full story.