Shropshire farmer seriously injured by bull is 'doing well', says son
A Shropshire farmer who was airlifted to hospital after being seriously injured by a bull, his family have said.
Basil Harper, 61, of Golden Hill Farm in Hinstock, near Market Drayton, is in a stable condition.
Emergency services were called to the farm at about 9am on Saturday after the bull attacked Mr Harper.
Speaking yesterday, his son Richard said his father was "doing well". He said his father had suffered spinal injuries when struck in the back by one of his bulls.
"He was in with them bedding them down, putting straw down and the bull just came from behind him and tossed him into the air," he said.
Mr Harper said the family were thankful to the paramedics and the air ambulance for their efforts in getting his father to hospital in less than 10 minutes.
John Hawker, a West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman, said: "Crews arrived to find the man who had suffered suspected back and pelvic injuries. The farmer was in considerable pain after being injured by the bull.
"The man received emergency treatment at the scene by medics including pain relief.
"Following treatment the man was airlifted to Royal Stoke University Hospital for further emergency treatment."
Last year figures revealed cattle had become Britain's most dangerous large animal. According to the Health and Safety Executive, 74 people had been killed by cows in the past 15 years.
The report found that the farm animals, which can weigh a tonne, typically crush, butt or trample victims to death, with walkers targeted as they stroll on public footpaths through fields where cows graze.
Eighteen of those victims killed by cows were ramblers and 56 were farm workers.
They included Shropshire farmer Keith Hubert Preece, 62, who died two days after being kicked by a heifer while loading a trailer.
Mr Preece was working with cows at the farm at The Down, near Bridgnorth, when three of the animals "got spooked" and ran back towards him.
