A BURST appendix failed to stop determined A level student Sam Phillips achieving his university dream.

The 18-year-old thought he had trapped wind as he started his two-and-a-half hour maths exam at St Peter’s School in Bournemouth but he managed an A grade despite the agony.

“I had to do these really hard maths equations but I needed to have a break every five minutes because the pain was coming in waves,” he said.

The Brockenhurst teenager became very ill and needed emergency surgery to save his life.

“If it had been left another day it could’ve killed me,” he said.

Sam then had to stay in hospital for a week and missed a vital physics exam.

But he still managed to achieve an impressive four A grades to win a place at Bath University to study architecture.

He said: “I needed one A* and two A grades to fulfil my offer and I was predicted A* in both maths and physics.

“I couldn’t believe it when I was ill for the maths exam and missed physics. I was given an A grade for physics, based on coursework, so I’ve ended up with four A grades in maths, physics, graphics and geography.

“I’m so lucky that they’ve accepted me at Bath because it’s been a big worry.”

Sam’s mum Maria believes the appendix may have burst during the exam.

She said: “I rang the NHS 111 number and after seeing a doctor they said he had gastroenteritis and was sent home.

“But he was very poorly and the next day he was rushed into theatre and was in there for two hours.

“It was touch and go.”