94-year-old survives fight with boxing kangaroo

Skippy might have been a cute bush kangaroo, but it seems not all marsupials are so willing to help out in a crisis.

94-year-old Phyllis Johnson learnt this the hard way, after she was confronted by a rogue roo, the Courier-Mail reports.

The Aussie creature came charging through her back yard as Ms Johnson was happily hanging out her washing in Charleville, Australia.

She tried to fend him off with a broom and even bashed the blighter on the head, but the giant animal showed no let-up.

"Not even the dog would help, it was too frightened," Ms Johnson says.

Thankfully the elderly woman's son soon arrived to help out, but this still wasn't enough to scare away the critter and the police were called.

Officers then had to use pepper spray to calm the attacker down and Ms Johnson was taken to hospital with cuts and bruises.

The animals are much-loved by those visiting Australia and are considered a national treasure, but this might serve as a reminder that they really belong in the wild.

Posted by Simon Williams