Hunter impaled by 800kg 'monster' buffalo
A Queensland taxidermist has revealed the horrifying moment he diced with death when a hunting trip in the Northern Territory went horribly wrong.
Danny Vanbrugh, his son and a friend had embarked on the trip at the end of September and thought they’d got off to a good start when they’d spotted an 800kg buffalo.
“We were walking along this lagoon and I’ve managed to get a shot at this big bull,” he told Yahoo7 News.
But the defiant buffalo ran off into a gorge, prompting Mr Vanbrugh and the group to set chase.
As they followed the fresh tracks into the opening, it quickly dawned on the seasoned hunter they’d been outwitted.
“I was just standing there and next minute I heard this rushing through broken trees and I turned to the side and he’s charging towards me about 20, 30 metres away,” Mr Vanbrugh recalled.
As he aimed his gun at the beast hurtling towards him, he said his line of vision was blocked by a nearby tree.
Just 10 metres away, he eventually managed to get a shot away – landing a bullet in its head.
“I went to reload for a third time and he’s lifted me right up through the bicep.”
Inches from death
Mr Vanbrugh revealed his next move most likely saved his life.
“In that split second I’ve moved myself into the middle of its head between the horns,” he said.
A situation that would terrify most people, Mr Vanburgh tried his best to keep his cool.
“I’ve been doing this all my life so I was pretty cool headed. You have to stay still and stand your ground and think about things,” he said.
He revealed he even contemplated grabbing the buffalo’s horns and “riding it out”.
As he attempted to navigate his way between the horns, one of them rammed into his back, slashing it in the process and pinning him to the ground.
After being flung into the air one more time, Mr Vanburgh managed to find footing and make a break for it.
“Ive gained my footing and I’ve just run,” he said.
With his son having retreated to a safe spot, Mr Vanbrugh gave the signal to finish the buffalo off.
“There was blood just pouring, pumping out of my arm,” he said.
“I’m lucky to be alive”.
They managed to create a makeshift tourniquet bandage from his shirt before jumping in their vehicle.
Mr Vanbrugh then endured a painstaking two hour ride to Royal Darwin Hospital as his son held his arm in the air.
Hospital treatment ‘best in Australia’
Two weeks later and 10 operations down, Mr Vanbrugh is on the lengthy road to recovery.
With more surgeries line up, he has praised the efforts of the medical staff in the hospital for their ongoing work.
“In my mind, it’s the best hospital in Australia, the people – it’s been beautiful. The doctors, nurses and staff,” he said.
Mr Vanbrugh has since urged for the public to recognise their hard work and consider the facility for much needed donations.
He also said he is solely responsible for the incident and wouldn’t want any blame placed on the animal.
“Its nothing to do with the animal its just what happens. I don’t want any negativity.”
Mr Vanbrugh said he has no plans to give up hunting anytime soon.
