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Trampled farmer dies in hospital | Trampled farmer dies in hospital |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A farmer who was trampled by his herd of cows after they stampeded when a fire engine siren apparently startled them, has died in hospital. | |
Harold Lee, 75, was moving 100 cows from Robin's Farm in Burtle, Somerset, with his son Richard when a fire engine answering a 999 call approached them. | |
Mr Lee suffered chest and head injuries in the incident. | Mr Lee suffered chest and head injuries in the incident. |
He was airlifted to the Royal United Hospital in Bath before being transferred to Frenchay Hospital. | He was airlifted to the Royal United Hospital in Bath before being transferred to Frenchay Hospital. |
Mr Lee was leading the herd along the B-road to the milking parlour on 11 August when the cows stampeded back towards their field. | |
Kicked to ground | |
Speaking last Friday his son Andrew told the BBC: "Father got off his quad bike to try to stop the cows, and they literally ran him over and kicked him to the ground. | |
"I think if they (the firefighters) had stopped and took their time for literally four minutes, they would have been on their way and this could all have been prevented." | |
A Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue spokesman said it was responding to a call to a road accident when it encountered the cattle. | A Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue spokesman said it was responding to a call to a road accident when it encountered the cattle. |
He said: "A man was injured by stampeding cattle and firefighters gave first aid at the scene prior to the arrival of the ambulance service. | |
"It is understood that this man has subsequently died and the sympathies of the service are with his family and friends. | "It is understood that this man has subsequently died and the sympathies of the service are with his family and friends. |
"As this matter is now under police investigation it would not be appropriate to comment further." | |
Avon and Somerset police said the incident was being investigated and the possibility the cows were frightened by a fire engine was one line of inquiry. | Avon and Somerset police said the incident was being investigated and the possibility the cows were frightened by a fire engine was one line of inquiry. |