Cow kick which killed Shropshire farmer was freak accident, inquest told

Keith Hubert Preece, 62, died two days after being kicked by a heifer while loading a trailer.

Following an inquest, his family said they were still struggling to come to terms with the accident and would always miss the man they described as a "loving father and grandfather".

Shropshire Coroner, John Ellery, had heard evidence from Steven Shaw, an inspector with the Health and Safety Executive.

Mr Ellery was told Mr Preece, a lifelong farmer, was loading a trailer with his brother, David.

Mr Shaw said the pair were loading "six or seven" cattle onto their Scania stock vehicle, and as they reached the trailer three of the animals "got spooked" and ran back towards them.

One of the animals, a Red Limousin heifer, then kicked out with its back legs as it went past Mr Preece, hitting him in the neck and chest, causing him to fall and hit his head on a gate.

Mr Preece's brother came to his aid but realised he was unable to speak and called the ambulance.

An air ambulance arrived shortly after and flew Mr Preece to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, where he was treated until he died two days later.

Mr Shaw said the pair were extremely experienced at moving livestock and would transport animals for other local farmers.

He told the coroner that all the animals being loaded in February had been reared at the farm, at The Down, near Bridgnorth.

He said: "It is unclear whether the first heifer that stood on the ramp was spooked or glare from the sun caused the other three to run back."

Speaking after the inquest at Shrewsbury's Shirehall, Mr Preece's wife June and daughters, Rachel Meehan, and Debbie Berry, paid tribute to a "family man".

Rachel said: "He was a loving father and a loving grandfather. He was a family man. We love him and we miss him, there is not a day that goes by when we do not miss him."

Debbie added: "It is a tragic, tragic loss for us and we are still completely reeling from the hole it has left in our lives."

Mrs Preece said the family had been overwhelmed by the support from the farming community and people in the surrounding area.

She said: "Everyone has been amazing. They have been really really wonderful. We have had so many messages and offers of help from people."

Richard Yates, chairman of the Shropshire branch of the National Farmers Union, who also runs a cattle farm just three miles away in Middleton Scriven, described Mr Preece as a gentleman to all who knew him.

He said: "He always had a smile on his face and was simply one of life's good guys.

"He was a man of the land, a real countryman and worked every day. He was a traditional, hardworking farmer.

"Keith had a great life in front of him to enjoy and never did anyone any harm.

"It shows how unpredictable each day can be and his passing is such a tragedy."

Mr Ellery said Mr Preece had died from a "traumatic carotid dissection following a kick by a cow", and recorded a conclusion of accidental death.