Freak stag attack shows that sometimes there is only inches between life and death

Dr Kate Stone suffered terrible injuries but was lucky to be alive.

One of the most bizarre stories so far this year was that appalling accident where a woman was gored by a stag in the remote Highlands of Scotland.

Dr Kate Stone was spending a few days in a cottage near Fort William and was walking back to a friend’s house at night when the startled stag rushed at her.

Kate was very badly hurt and could have died. The injury to her throat caused by the stag’s antlers missed her spinal cord by just an inch.

Her windpipe was punctured and her neck fractured, but she is lucky to be alive and has been talking about her miracle recovery this week.

She remembers the stag was in the garden when it became spooked and rushed at the group. Kate was unlucky enough to be the one in the way and knew instantly that she was seriously hurt.

She remained really calm and concentrated on her breathing, which helped slow down the blood loss.

As the cottage was so remote, she had to wait 40 minutes for an ambulance to take her to hospital in Fort William and from there was airlifted to Glasgow’s Southern General.

It really was extraordinary that she didn’t die, and all credit to the medics for saving her life.

Two years ago, I had my own unfortunate accident involving a large animal and, like Kate, I was lucky to be treated by our wonderful NHS, although my experience was nowhere near as serious.

My case was very different. I was on a horse which threw me and then trampled on my thigh.

The ironclad hoof missed an artery by a half an inch and I was very lucky indeed to make a full recovery, although I will always have a massive scar on my right leg.

Of course, neither animal was in any way to blame and accidents happen. Poor Kate was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The wild deer felt nervous and made a dash for freedom and it was just unfortunate that she happened to be in the way.

For me, it was only my second time on a horse and I was asked to do a jump as part of a charity challenge.

With hindsight I should have politely declined, but when you do something for a charity you somehow think you’re immune to anything bad or negative happening to you.

Kate’s life changed forever that night and I’m really delighted she continues to make a good recovery and wish her all the best as she recuperates at her sister’s home near Dundee.