A man in his 70s has died after being injured by cattle on a National Trust estate in Norfolk.
Police are investigating the death at Felbrigg Hall after paramedics were called to attend to the injured man shortly after midday on Monday. Despite the paramedics’ best efforts, the man succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Norfolk police said the victim’s next of kin had been informed.
He was injured while walking in parkland. The 17th-century English country house and estate is a popular location for walkers. It has sprawling fields, a walled garden, orchards and a forest.
The hall, which is about two miles south of Cromer, was closed on Tuesday while investigations into the death took place. There has been an estate on the property since before the Norman conquest. It was recorded in the Domesday survey in 1086, when the village was in the possession of the Bigod family.
Tenant farmers graze their cattle on the fields around the great hall, and walkers are asked to keep their dogs on leads during calving season.
A Norfolk police spokesperson said: “Officers attended the Felbrigg Hall estate yesterday [Monday] following reports a person had been seriously injured by cattle at around 11.45am.
“Despite efforts to save him, a man in his 70s sadly died at the scene. His next of kin have been informed. Officers are investigating alongside colleagues from the Health and Safety Executive.”
A spokesperson for the East of England ambulance service said two ambulances, a paramedic car and East Anglian air ambulance were sent to Felbrigg Hall “following reports of a person being injured by cows”.
Cattle incidents, when walkers are chased, trampled or otherwise alarmed or injured by livestock, are fairly common. The Cattle Safety campaign says that in peak walking seasons, members of the public log 20-30 reports a month. They have recorded five cattle-related deaths over seven years, as well as 76 people who suffered significant injuries (broken bones or concussion requiring hospital observation) and 22 people who suffered ruptured internal organs or were in a coma.
The campaign calls for cattle to be separated from walkers on footpaths, compulsory public liability insurance for all farmers who keep livestock, a central database to record all incidents of cattle attacks across England and Wales, and farmer or landowner contact details to be displayed whenever a footpath enters a field containing cattle.
The RSPCA recommends that walkers remain slow and calm when in a field with livestock, keep dogs on leads, avoid sudden movements and give the animals plenty of space. They also ask walkers to leave gates as they find them and walk around the herd rather than through them.
Two years ago, 29-year-old Rebekah Morris was found trampled to death by cows after walking through their field. The farmers who owned the cows now face trial after being accused of failing to manage their farming activities safely.
A National Trust spokesperson said: “Emergency services were called to the parkland at Felbrigg Hall on Monday 13 July after a member of the public was seriously injured while walking. Despite the efforts of the paramedics, the person tragically died at the scene. We are shocked and deeply saddened by this news, and our thoughts and condolences are with their family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. As an investigation is under way, we are unable to comment further.”
A Health and Safety Executive spokesperson said: “We are aware of this incident and making enquiries alongside the police.”
