Shropshire farmer suffers broken neck in freak livestock accident

A SHROPSHIRE FARMER suffered a broken neck after he was thrown into the air by a heifer in a freak accident.

Richard Cope, 48, of Tilstock Farm, Tilstock, is believed to have landed on his head during the incident, which happened while he was introducing a bull to a herd of cows.

Today his wife Helen confirmed he had fractured two vertebrae in his neck after being thrown into the air. He was flown to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire in Stoke-on-Trent where he remained today following the incident on Tuesday.

Speaking at the farm Mrs Cope said the herd got excited when the bull was introduced and one of them jumped up and caught Mr Cope's feet.

"His feet went from underneath him and he was thrown in the air," said Mrs Cope.

She confirmed her husband remained in hospital today.

She said it was likely he would have to undergo surgery.

"It was a bad accident," said Mrs Cope.

"He fractured two vertebrae in his neck.

"He will probably have to have an operation on his neck to sort things out. All being well he will be okay."

Collision

Chris Kowalik, a spokesman for the West Midlands Ambulance Service, said that paramedics were called to the scene of the incident at about 11.30am

He said: "There was a man who had a collision with a cow.

"The Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford and a land ambulance attended."

Mr Kowalik added that Mr Cope was flown to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire in Stoke-on-Trent with neck and back pain.

Ian Coldrick, landlord of the nearby Horseshoes pub in Tilstock, said people in the village were talking about the incident.

He said: "I don't know exactly what happened but from what I gather they were putting the bull to some heifers and one of the heifers started bulling.

"He went in to check the number of it and the bull or the heifer charged at him and tossed him over the back.

"He landed on his neck from what I gather."

By Suzanne Roberts and James Pugh