Man flipped into air by buffalo that punctured his leg in a shocking near-death attack (Video)

A harrowing video has surfaced, capturing the moment a buffalo tossed a man into the air and pierced his leg in a nearly fatal encounter.

Videographer Martin Muller, 43, was commissioned to document a hunting expedition in Eastern Cape, South Africa, in 2021, during which he recorded the terrifying incident. However, the footage remained unreleased until this year.

In the video, a man can be seen fleeing from a buffalo before being hurled into the air amidst a hail of bullets. The victim, whose identity was withheld, was aiding the hunting party when he was assaulted by the animal.

The expedition was arranged by an unnamed American client, who engaged Martin and a seasoned hunter for assistance. The altercation occurred after the buffalo fled following an arrow strike.

Keen to prevent the animal from suffering needlessly, the group summoned the land manager to provide a firearm. Martin, who owns a production company in Jeffrey's Bay, South Africa, recounted the events: "The client had taken a shot with his bow.

"It seemed to hit the mark—the lungs—but likely deflected off a bone. Though it did pierce a lung, the wound was superficial, and the buffalo escaped. "It was just the three of us—the hunter, the client, and myself. We trailed the blood for four kilometers before contacting the land manager. We maintained a 100-meter buffer zone from the last blood spot, anticipating the buffalo might double back, and waited for assistance."

The land manager arrived with the client's rifle and two tracking dogs to pursue the wounded buffalo. While he ventured off alone, he stayed within a safe distance, utilizing the dogs to trace the buffalo's path. Suddenly, the beast emerged barely 20 meters away and charged at the lone individual, who dashed towards the rest of the group.

The hunter refrained from firing, as the land manager obstructed his line of sight. However, when the buffalo knocked the land manager down, the client took a courageous shot, striking the beast.

Martin disclosed: "It must have circled back closer than we anticipated. The guys were 20 meters away and still within the safe zone." He continued, "We discussed the client's risky shot, but he insisted he had the buffalo in his sights the entire time. In retrospect, criticism is easy, but given the circumstances, with the angle he had, the man wasn't even in his line of sight. It was a split-second decision, and the outcome could have been different."

Fortunately, the land manager sustained only minor injuries and received medical treatment. Martin added: "The professional hunters always carry a first aid kit. We tended to his wound and sent him to the hospital.

"He was grateful to be alive upon his return. Perhaps it was a combination of realizing his fortune and the medication, but he was in good spirits."