Tossed six foot into the air by a charging bull - Shropshire farmer 'lucky to be alive'

He broke his back when one of his 150 bulls charged at him from behind and tossed him into the air.

He broke three bones in his vertebrae but remained conscious throughout and today says he wants to thank medical staff who helped him.

He is now recuperating at home after almost three weeks in hospital.

Mr Harper, 61, said it was a Saturday morning when the accident happened and he was just going about his normal jobs on the farm.

He said: "My son doesn't work on the farm but on Saturday he comes down to help me with jobs which need two people.

"We rear bull calves and have about 150 of them at the moment.

"I was just having a quiet wander through to check their feet when one spooked.

"A bull raced behind me and launched me about six feet in the air.

"I fell down on my back and could not move. If it wasn't for my eldest son I do not know what would have happened to me.

"I have been farming all of my life and have never had a problem or an injury before.

"This has now changed my perspective on life.

"My attitude has changed a lot and I feel very lucky to be alive."

Mr Harper, who lives at Golden Hill Farm in Hinstock, near Market Drayton, said his son called the emergency services at about 9am on Saturday, January 23.

He said he was "so grateful" to the paramedics and the air ambulance for their efforts in getting him to hospital in less than 10 minutes.

He was airlifted to Royal Stoke University Hospital for further emergency treatment.

"The care I received in hospital was absolutely first class," Mr Harper added.

"Everything from the ambulance crew, helicopter crew to the trauma centre in Stoke.

"They were all so brilliant and I want to say a huge thank you.

"When I got to Stoke I was left to recover for three days before I had an operation to screw the bones back together in my spine.

"I went to the operating theatre at 9am and didn't come back till about 7pm.

"I also want to say a massive thank you to my neighbours who have helped out at the farm and sent me lots of cards and letters.

"My family have been brilliant supporting me as well.

"I am overwhelmed by the support.

"I am back home now which is good news.

"I am still very tender but I can walk now. I am weak and can only sit up for about 10 minutes.

"I have been told to rest and recovery for two months.

"The doctors have said there will be no lasting injury which was good to hear.

"It will take a while before I am fully recovered but I am just so grateful."