Police have launched an urgent witness appeal after a walker was killed by cattle, the second incident of this nature to occur within a fortnight.
Shortly before 11.45am on Friday, September 11th, Northumbria Police received a report a man had been seriously injured after being charged by cows on land near Thirlwall Castle and Gisland in Northumberland.
The 72-year-old, who has now been identified as Malcolm Flynn of Carlisle, was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a statement, a police spokesperson said: “His family continue to be supported by specialist officers at this time. “
“An investigation was subsequently launched and we’re trying to trace a number of witnesses who were believed to be in the area at the time.”
“Malcolm, who is described as a white male in his 70s, was wearing glasses and a sunhat, a t-shirt covered by a fleece, and a telescopic stick and was out walking with another male wearing walking boots, shorts and a fleece.”
Appeal for information
“We’d like to hear from anyone who thinks they might have information but have released the following descriptions of a number of people we would particularly like to trace.”
These include:
- A white male with grey hair and a grey beard walking a dog is believed to have walked past the man and his friend shortly before the incident near a signpost on the footpath;
- A male and female, believed to be in their forties, who spoke to the pair before they entered the field;
- A group of four walkers who spoke with Malcolm’s walking companion immediately after the incident and offered to alert the farmer, as well as another male who entered the field in a bid to try and divert the animals away from the scene. It is thought he also left a fleece behind.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police by calling 101 and quoting log number 387 110920.
