Michael Holmes’ death was the third fatal cow trampling in a month
A man was killed and his widow left paralysed when they were trampled by a herd of cows as they walked their daughter’s dogs during their lunch break, an inquest has heard.
Michael Holmes was pronounced dead at the scene and his widow Teresa was airlifted to hospital after being trampled as they crossed a field on a public right of way with the two whippets in September 2020.
The 57-year-old suffered 35 rib fractures and the sack of his heart was lacerated, and the heart bruised, during the incident just 20 feet from the end of the path.
A pathologist ruled the injuries to Michael’s chest on their own were not survivable, a jury inquest into his death was told.
Teresa, who was knocked unconscious, woke in hospital a week later to be told her husband died.
She then spent six months in hospital as she rehabilitated from her injuries, which included spinal fractures, spinal cord injuries and fractured ribs.
The inquest, held at Wakefield Civil and Family Justice Centre, was told Teresa took medical retirement due to her injuries, which have left her permanently in a wheelchair.
She told the court that she and Michael, her husband of 34 years, would regularly walk the route during their lunch breaks as they worked from home during lockdown.
“We were both working from home and it became a routine to get out every day for half an hour for a walk,” Teresa told the hearing.
“We set off just after 12 with the dogs. Both dogs were used to each other and we had them both on fixed leads.
“We were aware that there were sometimes cattle on the field.
“Quite often we would come in the reverse way to the field and we’ve seen cattle and said we won’t go across the field. We’d take a different route.
“I don’t remember the incident, which is a good thing really because what happened must have been horrific.”
The court heard the couple, from Leeds, moved to Netherton on the outskirts of Wakefield, West Yorkshire, in 2016 with the view of their house being their “retirement home”.
During lockdown, Michael – who worked in Telecoms – and Teresa would go for walks during lunch breaks.
The inquest heard their daughter Laura asked if they could care for her whippets, Neville and Luna, as their regular dog walker wasn’t available.
The couple agreed and took them for a walk through a nearby farmers field at around noon on September 29, a route Teresa says they took “scores of times”.
Teresa said because there were signs urging dog walkers to keep their animals on a lead, the couple thought it would be safe to take the dogs through the field.
But as they approached the end of the footpath – which is in the middle of the field – they were attacked by the cattle.
Footage from a nearby CCTV camera, shown to the jury, captured the moment the cows “accelerated” towards the couple.
Teresa told the court she didn’t remember the incident, but was told later the dogs had escaped the stampede and ran off.
They were found by a neighbour, with their fixed leads on, who raised the alarm.
The court heard an air ambulance was despatched the scene, but nothing could be done to save Michael.
Speaking of her husband, Teresa added: “He was a family man, he loved his family. His family meant everything to him.
“He had a very dry sense of humour and I do miss that.
“He had his own unique wit.”
The inquest heard the Health and Safety Executive had dealt with nine deaths from cow stampedes in five years, but 2020 saw a “small spike”. Michael’s death was the third fatal cow trampling in a month.
Deputy headteacher David Clark died after being trampled by cattle in a field north of Richmond, North Yorks., just days earlier.
Malcolm Flynn, 72, was fatally injured when he was charged by cows on land near Thirlwall Castle and Gisland, Northumberland.
The inquest continues.
Related links:
- Woman and child killed after Audi crashes into Jaguar dealership in Leeds
- Video shows terrifying final moments of Nepal plane crash
- British boy, 8, dies after falling seriously ill while on holiday in Barbados
- Paramedics charged with murder of man whose life they went to save
- Dachshunds seized after woman mauled to death in horrific Surrey dog attack
- Girl, 3, dies after getting stuck inside washing machine at family home
