A British expat has recalled how he and his son escaped with their lives after an Iranian bombing raid in Israel.
David Mason, 54, said he and his child were lucky to survive Friday’s attack on the northern port city of Haifa.
The father, from Rochdale in Greater Manchester, who has lived in Israel for 35 years, was with his son Itay, 16, when sirens blared warning them of an incoming attack.
Unable to reach a shelter from enemy fire, the pair initially took cover with other people underneath a bridge.
Speaking from a hospital bed on Monday night, Mr Mason told the Daily Mail: “We pulled over and ran for shelter but we had no idea where to run to, so we decided to run towards this bridge.
“There were a lot of people huddled under the bridge but I felt it wasn’t safe, because if the bridge collapsed we would all be history. I then saw an underground car park close by.”
Mr Mason then heard a “massive explosion” after an Iranian missile hit a building around 30ft away.
“The debris went flying and all of it hit us including metal parts from the bridge,” Mr Mason said. “I thought we were dead.”
He added: “There was a body under me and I thought it was my son. I started crying his name, it was absolutely horrific. I cannot describe the fear of thinking you have lost your child, it felt like forever.
“All of a sudden I saw him standing there with a bleeding giant hole in his neck. I went into dad mode, and tilted his head to the side and wrapped a shirt around him. He looked white as a sheet and was shocked.”
An ambulance took the Masons to Rambam Hospital, where doctors said the shrapnel was close to killing Itay.
Mr Mason said: “My son has recovered enough to have been discharged. I am still recovering in hospital and waiting to see if my hearing has been damaged.”
At least 31 people were injured in the attack on Friday, which coincided with attempts by diplomats from Britain, France and Germany to broker peace with Iran in Geneva.
An RAF flight for UK citizens left Jerusalem for Cyprus on Monday with 63 on board, David Lammy told the House Commons.
The Foreign Secretary said more flights will be arranged based on “demand and the latest security situation”.
Meanwhile, Israel on Tuesday claimed Iran broke a ceasefire between the two countries just hours after a peace deal was reached.
