A friendly dolphin has saved a teenage boy from drowning.
Non-swimmer Davide Ceci, 14, was within minutes of death when dolphin Filippo came to his rescue.
The friendly 61-stone creature has been a popular tourist attraction off Manfredonia in south-east Italy for two years.
But now he is a local hero after saving Davide from the Adriatic when he fell from his father's boat.
While Emanuele Ceci was still unaware his son had fallen into the waves, Filippo was pushing him up out of the water to safety.
Davide said: "When I realised it was Filippo pushing me, I grabbed on to him."
The dolphin bore down on the boat and got close enough for Davide's father to grab his gasping son.
Davide's mother Signora Ceci said: "It is a hero, it seems impossible an animal could have done something like that, to feel the instinct to save a human life."
Filippo has lived in the waters off Manfredonia since he became separated from a visiting school of dolphins.
Maritime researcher Dr Giovanna Barbieri said: "Filippo seems not to have the slightest fear of humans. I'm not surprised he should have done such a wonderful thing as to save a human."
(August 30, 2000 - Daily Record - Scotland )
