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Airlift for Buffalo victim

Wildlife expert Julie Church praised BUPA International for its help after she was nearly killed by a rampaging buffalo in Kenya.

The 30 year old project executive for World Wildlife Fund, who was on a photographic shoot when the attack happened, was charged three times, thrown up in the air and left unconscious by the animal.

James Maina, a BUPA International broker in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, organised payment of more than £31,000 for lifesaving medical treatment for Julie after being contacted by her mother.

Julie, whose heart stopped three times during the battle to save her said: "James was fantastic. We were so lucky to have a BUPA International adviser there because he knew the local area and could organise things."

"Living in a remote part of Africa, I'm often exposed to danger. I could never have lived without my medical insurance - it saved my life."

Following the attack the alarm was raised by Julie's boyfriend Mark and other companions on the trip. She was flown from a local airstrip to a hospital in Nairobi where she was treated for two 18-inch wounds caused by the buffalo's horns, a broken arm, a fractured pelvis and renal and liver failure.

Julie, who has fully recovered, said: "The Cape buffalo is known to be one of the most dangerous animals in the world. Lone males kicked out of the herd can be more dangerous than a lion."

"The one that attacked me was a wounded old male so he was even grumpier than normal. I've been back to where it happened but I make sure I'm not so close to them now."