Carlisle man trampled to death by cows in Northumberland
A 72-year-old was thrown into the air by cows which then repeatedly attacked him, an inquest has heard.Malcolm Flynn, from Carlisle, was walking with a friend along Hadrian's Wall when they were charged at by cattle who were with their calves on 11 September 2020.His fellow walker called the emergency services after managing to escape by climbing a tree.However, Mr Flynn was pronounced dead at the scene in a field at Thirlwall Castle Farm near Gilsland in Northumberland.
Christopher Barkless said he and Mr Flynn - a fellow member of the Ramblers' Association - had entered the field and there were four cows and their calves blocking his path.He told the inquest: "I was not comfortable with that situation, they were not behaving in a manner that I would expect."If you look in a cow's eyes it will normally look away, it won't stare you out."If it looks away, it will normally disperse. These cows were different."They didn't demonstrate any intention of being fazed by the presence of two human beings, in fact they came forward to confront us."
'Flipped up'
Mr Barkless said he told his friend he was changing course and turned his back.He then heard a "tumultuous motion" as the cattle moved quickly towards Mr Flynn who started to run away.However, he was shoulder-charged, knocked to the ground, flipped up in the air and then trampled every time he moved.When Mr Flynn made a final attempt to get up, a cow kicked him in the face, Mr Barkless said.It was only when the air ambulance flew over, 30 minutes after the first attack, that the cows dispersed.Medics were unable to save Mr Flynn, who had suffered chest injuries.
Assistant Coroner Kirsten Mercer told jurors there was a sign warning walkers about the cows and calves in the field and how they could be "unpredictable".One of the issues to be considered during the five-day hearing was a previous incident almost exactly a year before where two walkers were injured by cows.The inquest in Morpeth continues.
Follow BBC North East on X and Facebook and BBC Cumbria on X and Facebook and both on Nextdoor and Instagram.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NBC News
an hour ago
- NBC News
Owner of collapsed Dominican Republic club that killed 236 is arrested, along with his sister
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — The owner of an iconic nightclub in the Dominican Republic whose roof collapsed in April and killed 236 people was arrested Thursday along with his sister. Antonio Espaillat and Maribel Espaillat have not been charged in the case, although authorities have 48 hours to present any charges before a judge. "Both defendants displayed immense irresponsibility and negligence by failing to physically intervene to prevent the club's roof from collapsing, as it ultimately did, causing 236 deaths and more than 180 injuries," the Dominican Republic's Attorney General's Office said in a statement. Prosecutors accused the Espaillats of trying to intimidate or manipulate company employees, adding that they could serve as witnesses in the case. Antonio Espaillat is considered a powerful businessman in the Dominican Republic; he owns upscale entertainment centers and dozens of local radio stations. Miguel Valerio, the Espaillats' attorney, told reporters that he expects to have access to the prosecutors' evidence in upcoming days. "This is an involuntary homicide," he said. "Nobody wanted that to happen." The Espaillats were arrested after being interrogated for several hours. Altanto TV, a local digital news channel, posted an interview with a man they identified as former Jet Set employee Gregory Adamés. The channel said he gave prosecutors videos and conversations with Antonio Espaillat in which he warned that the April 7 party shouldn't be held because the roof could collapse. Adamés said in a video posted on Instagram that he would hold the Espaillat family responsible if he disappears or is shot or involved in an accident. "If something happens to me, it's clear where it came from," he said. "My intention is not to hurt anyone, only that the truth be known." A government-appointed committee that includes international experts is still investigating what caused the roof to collapse. Crews worked for 53 hours nonstop after arriving on the scene in Santo Domingo shortly after midnight on April 8, rescuing 189 survivors. The victims included beloved singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the roof caved in, and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz. Also killed was former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel, who was pulled from the debris but died in hospital, and Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera. Other victims include a retired U.N. official, New York-based fashion designer Martín Polanco, an Army captain who left behind four young girls, and three employees at Grupo Popular, a financial services company, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife. The relatives of several survivors
North Wales Live
3 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Mountain rescue team issues statement over Watkin Path pools tragedy
Mountain rescuers have sent their "deepest sympathies" to the families and friends of two women who died at a North Wales beauty spot. The women had been visiting the pools on the Watkin path on Yr Wyddfa (formerly known as Snowdon). Llanberis Mountain Rescue Teams and Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team were involved in the incident which happened at Nant Gwynant on Wednesday at about 9.30pm. However the women, who have not been named, could not be saved. Jurgen Dissmann, Chair of Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, posted an online message about the tragedy. He said: 'On behalf of Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, I extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the two women who sadly lost their lives. 'This was a complex and difficult callout for the team and we would like to thank our emergency service colleagues and Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team for their continued support and assistance during this callout.' North Wales Police said yesterday that they have been called out at 9.30pm on Wednesday. They were told one woman had been pulled from the pools which have become hugely popular in recent years. A second woman was reported to be still in the water. Police launched a joint operation with the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team, Air Ambulance and the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter. Despite desperate efforts to save them the two women were pronounced dead at the scene. A North Wales Police spokesperson said yesterday: "Police were called at 21:31hrs following a report that one female had been pulled from the water, and another was reported to be in the water at the pools on the Watkin Path. "The Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team were dispatched to the area along with North Wales Police, the Air Ambulance and the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter. The second female was pulled from the water, however, despite the best efforts of all involved both were pronounced dead at the scene." Just a short hike from the A498, the Watkin Path pools have long been popular but have more recently seen an explosion of interest after featuring on tourism apps such as Instagram and TikTok. Until this week, their popularity was taken granted and their use unquestioned.
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Influencer stabbed to death in shopping centre by 'cleaner who felt rejected'
Tais Bruna de Castro, 36, was having lunch at a mall in São Paulo, Brazil, when she was allegedly ambushed by a janitor who had developed feelings for her A Brazilian book influencer and travel agent has been tragically killed in a horrific stabbing incident. Tais Bruna de Castro, 36, was having lunch on Monday, June 2, at the Beco Fino shopping centre in the Jundiaí neighbourhood of São Paulo when she was was stabbed to death. Without warning, the knifeman launched a frenzied knife attack, stabbing Bruna more than 20 times in front of shocked bystanders. Claudio Elizeu, a 40-year-old cleaner at the same complex, was arrested at the scene, CNN Brazil reports. According to local police, Elizeu, who was employed as a janitor at the mall, told investigators that he killed Tais because she had no interest in pursuing a relationship with him. Authorities say there is no evidence that the two shared a close personal relationship. READ MORE: Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner's chilling message to other paedophile uncovered After the stabbing, Elizeu allegedly broke into an office inside the shopping centre, where he smashed windows and furniture before police arrested him, the Daily Mail reports. Bruna was declared dead at the scene. The case is being investigated under the country's femicide protocol, with her senseless killing being just another example of the high levels of gender-based violence in Latin America. Bruna was well known among literary circles online. She ran a blog titled Reader Fashion , where she shared book recommendations, literary commentary, and engaged with a growing community of followers. She also worked as a travel agent in the same shopping centre where the attack took place. Following her death, Bruna's family posted a heartfelt message on her Instagram account, which had over 8,000 followers, thanking her audience for their support and honouring her passion for literature. "This week, our dear Tais Bruna, the owner of this profile, left us in a very sad and unbelievable way," the post read. "'Reader Fashion' was one of her greatest joys. Talking about books, recommending new reads, and interacting with you brought light into her days. We, her family, sincerely thank you for the messages and prayers. Tais, we will love you forever." Her death is part of a disturbing trend of violence against women, particularly influencers and public figures, in Latin America. Just weeks before Bruna's murder, Colombian model and influencer María José Estupiñán, 22, was shot at point-blank range by a gunman disguised as a delivery driver. The shooting occurred outside her home in the northeastern city of Cúcuta, and was captured on chilling CCTV footage. Her mother can be heard screaming, 'No, not my daughter!' as the gunman fled the scene. In another recent case, Mexican TikTok star and beautician Valeria Márquez, 23, was gunned down while live streaming from her salon, Blossom the Beauty Lounge, in the state of Jalisco. The graphic footage shows her looking out the window moments before gunshots rang out, striking her in the chest and head. These incidents have sparked renewed calls for more robust protections for women and public figures in the region. Advocacy groups continue to demand urgent action from governments to address the systemic violence that disproportionately targets women, both online and offline.
