Michael Conroy Harris was with his dog
A trail runner has told of his ‘remarkably lucky’ survival after he was trampled by cows.
Michael Conroy Harris was with his dog at Garrigill in Cumbria when he was surrounded by a herd of cattle and trodden into the ground.
The 52-year-old from Newcastle praised the Great North Air Ambulance Service which came to his aid after the incident.
The experienced runner was running at the site near Alston last October with his dog Ellie, a German wirehaired pointer when they were encircled by the animals.
He said: “We’ve had a cottage in Nenthead for 15 years and I’ve run the same route in that area without encountering any problems before.
“During my run on the Saturday I came to a field with cows in it but there were no warning signs. I assessed the area and could see the stile at the other side of the field, so I thought I would be okay.
“I entered the field and I could see more cattle in that area, the cows then started moving and a group surrounded me. They knocked me face down in a cow pat and it was an incredible experience because I wondered what was going to happen, I thought maybe that was it for me.
“I didn’t know what to do because they were standing on me but for some reason they eventually cleared.”
Mr Conroy Harris managed to leave the field and make his way to a road nearby, where he flagged down a driver who made a phone call to his wife Alexandra Conroy Harris.
She picked him up and took him to Alston’s Ruth Lancaster James Hospital, where the staff decided to call GNAAS for assistance due to his condition.
Alexandra and Michael Conroy Harris with air ambulance doctor John Ferris
Mr Conroy Harris was assessed and treated by the GNAAS doctor-led trauma team before being airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle-upon-Tyne where he stayed for five days under observation.
The runner had suffered a broken leg and head injuries but GNAAS doctor John Ferris said it could easily have been much worse. “Given the circumstances, Mr Conroy Harris is remarkably lucky to have lived to tell the tale,” he said.
Mr Conroy Harris praised his rescuers. He said: “GNAAS offer a vital service and need all of the funding and support they can get. I’ve donated to the charity in the past and now I’ve set up regular giving and signed up to the lottery as my way of paying them back.
“I’m still a bit shaken but this hasn’t put me off running. When I’m fit enough I’ll probably try a different running route.”
The GNAAS, which regularly undertakes rescue missions in the Lake District, north Pennines and the northern Dales, is reliant on public donations to survive. Last year the charity needed to raise £5.1m to keep flying. Details of how to help are on the Great North Air Ambulance website and are also available by ringing 01325 487263.
Peter Anderson
30 January 2018I was trampled in a field near Garrigill in near identical circumstances last August. Got away with a muscular back injury and trampled arm. The most scared I have ever been in my life. I would love to get in touch with Michael to se if it was the same herd/field....
Glad to see he got away with it too...
heidi
31 January 2018It's generally dogs that upset cows, not people
John newrick
31 January 2018Leave your dog at home if you are going anywhere near cattle. your dog as far as cattle are concerned is their mortal enemy. Always has been - always will be. WALK SMART leave the dog at home !
Try and understand the animals - it helps !
marco
31 January 2018Yes dogs don't help near cows but I would not trust cows at all as this kind of incident is now quite common.
Just Saying
01 February 2018Not always possible to know if cattle are to be encountered on your walk/run John newrick, a 'smarter' idea would be to find an alternative route around, everyone wins.
Nigel
02 February 2018They are unpredictable on their best day and you don’t need a dog with you to spook them , I avoid them at all costs .
John Newrick
02 February 2018In 60+ years of walking I have never been approached when I have not had a dog with me. Once in Scotland when I did have my dog with me the cattle were a little more than interested. I let my dog off the lead, end of problem !
I was brought up with lots animals on farms including pigs (?) in the countryside so I speak from experience (or the lack of it as it has never happened walk with confidence, do not show fear, talk quietly to the animals, they are used to people, NOT DOGS)
heidi
04 February 2018Totally agree with you John. I too am from a farming family and I just walk slowly but confidently past cattle, talking to them and have never had a problem. I don't have a dog but wouldn' t take one in a field with cows if I did. I think a lot of people are nervous of cows nowadays and this transmits to them
Nigel
07 February 2018Maybe it’s because they weigh 30 stone , normally around 20 of them and they trample people , maybe that’s ehy people are nervous around them
Michael Conroy Harris
10 March 2018We’ve had dogs for over 20 years and a cottage near where the accident happened for 15 years. I’ve spent a lot of time running near the accident and around the surrounding Alston Moor. My dog is an ex-gamekeeper’s dog that we found by the side of the road with her paw caught in an illegal trap (we know this because the trap should not have been set where animals her size can get to).
We found out via the gamekeeper that she would often run off. She’s certainly no angel but one thing I have never seen her do is show any interest in livestock. I expect she was robustly trained in that respect as shooting is very popular on the moor.
When we’re out running she’s looking for birds, no surprise since she was a working dog. I attach her securely to me with a running belt and lead, my risk assessment being that it’s better she is attached to me than running amok. In 15 years on the moor, I can recall two signs warning about cattle “bull in the field” (although I cannot recall an occasion I’ve encountered a single bull) and “cattle in field”. Both signs were obviously information signs but neither gave any warning about the nature of the animals. Conversely, I’ve seen numerous signs offering to shot my dogs if they get among livestock. On one occasion, when another dog was able to get into a field where the stone wall was sagging and the ground was raised (presumably because of the sagging wall) and chased the sheep until I rugby tackled him, the farmer sped down the track and offered to shoot the dog there and then. It didn’t feel appropriate to point out that the dog was able to run into the field and the farmer might like to take that into consideration.
It was our dog and our responsibility and we sucked it up. We were also very keen that he didn’t get shot. We took him to a specialist trainer, who showed us how to stop him doing it. Nothing like it has happened since but we are Uber cautious if similar conditions ever present themselves.
I had every right to pass through a public right of way with the responsibility of doing no harm in the same way as the landholder has every right where to graze his/her livestock and in what combination with the responsiblility for the actions of his/her livestock. I have been in the same position on countless other occasions. I have treated the cattle with respect on each occasion and had to release a previous dog on one occasion when a group of bullocks showed too much interest - he showed an unusual turn of speed, shot though a squeeze stile before re-grouping to bark at them as much to say “I could have you!
Perhaps I’ve forgotten it, but I don’t recall any anxiety that day, it was just one of those things.
Now there’s a reason we have the word “accident”, sometimes things happen. We can’t undo them, the moment (because that’s all it was as I decided it was safe) is lost and gone forever. We can, of course, learn from then.
I will probably never go into a cattle field again. I’ve learnt my lesson. Do I regret 30+ years of walking and running carefully around cattle? No. So what I have learned from the accident? That if one ends up in that sort of situation, nothing else really matters and no amount of debating if I was “right” or “wrong” matters a jot. Am I disappointed about anything? Yes, I was in a position where people are supposed to see their life flash before them and I didn’t see a single frame.
So why was I sharing this? I don’t want anyone else to go through the same. Whatever you think of me, please share this and let’s hope it never happens to one of all our loved (or unloved) ones.
Thank you and best wishes
Michael