A boy of 10 saved his dad from being gored to death by jumping on a tractor to drive straight at an angry bull.
Brave Tom Phillips watched in horror as the bull charged at his father Andrew – throwing him in the air like a rag doll on the family farm in Abergavenny, South Wales.
The huge 2,000lb beast then stood over the unconscious farmer, snorting and mauling his lifeless body with its giant hooves.
Nice wheels: Tom Phillips, 10, with the tractor he used to save his father Andrew’s life when he was attacked by a raging bull
Terrified Tom climbed onto the tractor for safety – but then had an agonising decision to make.
His father Andrew, 46, does not allow him to drive the powerful machine – and he’s not a boy to break the rules.
But instincts took over and Tom turned the key to drive slowly towards his dad lying under the fierce Limousin bull.
Tom carefully aimed for the animal worried he might crush his unconscious father under the giant wheels.
Tough customer: The bull had charged Tom’s father throwing him into the air
He managed to nudge the bull away from his father – then ran back to the farmhouse to alert his mother Amanda, 39, crying: ‘Dad’s dead, dad’s dead.’
Trained first-aider Amanda dialled 999 and ran to her stricken husband but failed to find a pulse.
An RAF rescue helicopter flew to the field to take barely alive Andrew to intensive care in hospital.
Doctors found he had 10 broken ribs and severe internal injuries from where the charging bull hit him.
But Andrew survived and was allowed home today two weeks after being hit by the bull.
Proud Amanda said: ‘Andrew only survived because of Tom’s amazing reactions to what must have been horrific for a 10-year-old boy to witness.
‘He idolises his dad and he was sure the bull had killed him and was about to trample over his body.
‘We don’t let him drive the tractor but he’s obviously watched Andrew behind the wheel often enough so he knew what to do.
‘He drove towards the bull and managed to push it away from Andrew.
‘I have no doubt that Tom saved his father’s life – Andrew would not be here now but for the way he acted.
‘He’s my little hero and I can’t tell you how proud I am of him.’
But all Tom could day afterwards was: ‘Please don’t tell mum, she’ll tell me off for driving the tractor!’
Thanks son: Tom with his father Andrew who was airlifted to hospital where doctors found he had 10 broken ribs and severe internal injuries
Amanda said: ‘I’ve told him that he did the right thing and that without using the tractor to push the bull away his dad would not have survived.
‘He said that as he was driving the tractor at the bull he was so worried about crushing his father’s legs under the wheels.
‘It was a dreadful thing for a boy of his age to go through and he’s had a few nightmares since.
‘But he can be immensely proud of himself – he saved his dad’s life.’
The bull, hired in from a local stud, has been removed from the Phillips’ 100-acre cattle and farm in the Monmouthshire countryside.
Andrew and only-child Tom were tending cattle in the field when the bull suddenly ‘charged out of nowhere.
Modest Tom was given a hero’s welcome when he returned to his local primary school once he knew his dad was going to be alright.
Tom said: ‘I was a bit worried about driving the tractor but I just did what i had to do.
‘I’m glad my dad is going to be alright.’
Source: UK Daily Mail
