10-year-old saves father from an attacking bull, and more

10-year-old saves father from an attacking bull

Whatever else he did, 10-year-old Tom Phillips knew he wasn’t allowed to drive the tractor at his family farm in Abergavenny, in southern Wales. But when he saw his father under attack from a 2,000-pound bull, he figured it was time to break the rules. Tom started up the tractor and used it to nudge the angry beast away. His father was rushed to the hospital, and is recovering from 10 broken ribs. “I was a bit worried about driving the tractor,” Tom said, “but I just did what I had to do. I’m glad my dad is going to be all right.”

Former amnesia patient is bound for Smith College

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Talk about starting over. Su Meck of Gaithersburg, Md., was struck in the temple by a dislodged ceiling fan 23 years ago. The injury caused advanced retrograde amnesia, leaving the then-22-year-old woman unable to read, write, or even recognize her husband and child. But decades of hard work rebuilding her abilities paid off last month when she graduated with honors from Montgomery College. For years, she said, “I was a parent, I was a wife, but I didn’t have anything by myself.” No more—she will continue her studies at Smith College in the fall.

Man lifts van to save trapped neighbor

Construction worker Mike Treciak of Jackson, Mich., heard his neighbor Timothy Kirkland scream for help when a jack slipped and left him trapped beneath the minivan he had been working under. Treciak ran over, grabbed the front of the van, and was able to lift it enough for Kirkland’s son to pull him out. Kirkland is now recovering in the hospital. “It’s not Superman,” said Treciak. “I do construction, so guess I’m a little stronger than most people.”