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Rambler killed in bull attack on public footpath (10 April 2014)

Date: 10/04/2014
Duncan Lewis, Personal Injury Solicitors, Rambler killed in bull attack on public footpath

A farmer is facing manslaughter charges after a bull subjected a terrified couple to a 20-minute attack in which the husband died.

Roger Freeman, 63, and his wife Glenis, 70, from Glen Parva in Leicester were walking across farmland using a public footpath which led them through a field of cows.

They were experienced ramblers and were walking 15 miles from Lougborough to Nottingham in November 2010 when the attack happened.

The field was owned by 39-year-old farmer Paul Waterfall, whose bull Zac had charged two power contractors six weeks before attacking Mr and Mrs Freeman.

Nottingham Crown Court watched footage of Mrs Freeman’s account of the attack while being questioned by police following her husband’s death.

Mr Freeman was initially gored by the bull and his vertebrae, ribs, shoulders and arms were broken in the attack, the Daily Mail reports.

The court heard how Mr Freeman shouted his goodbyes to his wife, after realising he was about to die in the 20-minute attack.

The court heard how he shouted for his wife to fetch help, saying, “I’m sorry, my baby , I can’t get us out of this.”

Mrs Freeman was also injured when the bull turned and attacked her. She had surgery to remove her spleen and sustained a bruised heart, broken wrist , kidney damage and seven cracked ribs.

She told the police that the couple had entered the field of cows but her husband suddenly realised there was a bull in the field when they were halfway across ? and told her to keep walking.

Mrs Freeman said she heard a noise and saw her husband on the ground with the bull standing over him. He told her he was unable to stand up as the bull had gored him in his groin. She told the court the bull seemed excited and was pawing the ground and tossing its head.

The bull then charged at Mrs Freeman and hit her in the chest. She said that at one point the bull appeared to be sitting on her and she felt the air would be “squeezed” out of her, before the animal returned to attack Mr Freeman.

Mrs Freeman managed to climb a fence, despite being seriously injured ? and flagged down a car for help.

Dairy farmer Paul waterfall denies the charges of manslaughter. The court heard that he had told the two power contractors who escaped from the bull that the animal was “nasty and aggressive”, but it “kept walkers on their toes”.

The bull has since been destroyed.

Prosecutors allege that Mr Waterfall breached his duty of care to ensure the safety of those using the public right of way, by failing to make sure the animal was properly confined ? and failing to take action after the previous incident involving the power contractors.

The trial continues.

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors for Animal Attacks

Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors can advise on how to make a no win no fee claims for injuries sustained in Animal Attacks and Dog Attacks, if the injuries resulted from the negligence of another party.

Duncan Lewis can also advise on making Fatal Injuries Claims related to animal attacks or dog attacks.

For expert legal advice on animal attack compensation claims contact Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 020 7923 4020.


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