A pregnant mother has suffered serious injuries after a tree branch fell on top of her and nearly killed her young son – but it could have been even worse if it wasn’t for their pooch.
Sally Burls was holidaying in NSW with her husband, Dylan, and their son, Harry, when a large ‘800kg’ tree limb fell onto her on Easter Monday.
Ms Burls was immediately airlifted to Melbourne for emergency medical treatment.
Family friend Jade Lieschke said the branch could easily have killed Ms Burls and her two-year-old son.
However, the Burls’ quick-thinking border collie, Archie, risked his own life to protect the toddler.
‘In an incredible split-second instinct, Archie pushed Harry out of the way – saving his life,’ Ms Lieschke wrote on a GoFundMe.
Harry suffered only minor injuries as a result, unlike Archie, who was treated by vets for a broken hip and leg.
A ‘massive’ tree limb fell on the Burls family, leaving Sally injured before their two-year-old was saved by their border collie
Archie pushed two-year-old Harry from the path of the branch in a split-second moment
The family now faces months of recovery with significant medical and veterinary expenses, Ms Lieschke said.
Two-year-old Harry has been ‘slowly getting his bounce back’ since the accident.
Ms Burl underwent surgery on Thursday while Archie remains at the vets recovering.
‘Sally has been an absolute trooper – the medical staff have been amazing, and we’re so grateful for everything they’re doing,’ Ms Lieschke wrote.
‘We’re taking each day as it comes and feeling truly overwhelmed by the kindness, generosity, and love from everyone.
More than $60,000 has been raised for the family so far.
‘They’re the kind of people who’d drop everything to help someone else and never ask for anything in return,’ Ms Lieschke wrote.
