A farmer today spoke of his shock after a bull in his field attacked two walkers, killing one and leaving the other fighting for her life.
The married couple, described by police as ‘seasoned walkers’ were walking on a public footpath through a Nottinghamshire field where Paul Waterfall kept 61 heifers and a bull when the animal turned on the pair, from Glen Parva in Leicestershire.
The 63-year-old man died from his injuries at the scene. His 67-year-old wife, who escaped the field and flagged down a passing motorist, is in a critical but stable condition in the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham.
Mr Waterfall, a married man with two children, released a statement today. He said: “My family and I are deeply upset by what has happened. We are in shock and trying to come to terms with what I can only describe as a devastating and tragic incident. Our thoughts are with the couple’s family at this time.”
The couple were attacked by the bull while walking along the path, through a livestock field on Leake Lane, near the village of Stanton on Soar on the Nottinghamshire-Leicestershire border at about 4.30pm on Friday.
Detective Inspector Melanie Bowden said: “The couple’s two sons and their other family members are absolutely devastated by this tragic incident. We are continuing to support them as they struggle to come to terms with what has happened.”
Police are unable to identify the couple at this stage as not all relatives have been informed. The man’s elderly parents have been told about their son’s death.
DI Bowden said: “This was a truly tragic incident. The family are distraught and we are supporting them through this difficult time.”
The coroner has been informed of the man’s death and a post-mortem examination is expected to take place early next week.
Enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident are continuing, in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive.
The bull that carried out the attack has been put down.
Andrea and Richard Bion
14 November 2010We would like to express our concern that fields are often surrounded on all four sides by barbed wire along the tops of fences and walls. Walkers are trapped in fields with no exit if there is danger from bulls, bullocks and heifers.
verysimpleman
15 November 2010Fields with footpaths are presumably not fenced where the footpath enters and exits the field , or the walkers would not be able to get in, would they????????
WillC
15 November 2010This incident is tragic, but must be put into context. On the same day something like 10 people will have been killed in car accidents and many more injured. Let's keep things rational and await the outcome of the coroner's report.
alan.sloman
17 November 2010"verysimpleman" said "Fields with footpaths are presumably not fenced where the footpath enters and exits the field , or the walkers would not be able to get in, would they????????"
Not a very bright comment....
Heifers very often will head you off away from the entrance & exits of the field. Andrea & Richard have a very valid point - there needs to be alternative escape routes from field holding cows with calves / bulls without clambering over barbed wire.
unown
18 November 2010the bull should not have been put down its nataral for them to attack
verysimpleman
23 December 2011Heifers very often will head you off away from the entrance & exits of the field. Andrea & Richard have a very valid point - there needs to be alternative escape routes from field holding cows with calves / bulls without clambering over barbed wire.
mmmmmm I didnt realise that bovines were so cunning !
Footpaths are not wired up, they have styles or gates. The best thing Alan is not to have any fences at all... simple !
stumo
01 February 2012Whilst it's a very sad situation, we all have a choice to either go through a field full of animals or not.
I cannot believe that the bull has been put down.