Shropshire farmer, 62, dies after cow kick horror

Keith Preece was struck by the heifer at The Down, near Bridgnorth, as he was loading cows onto a trailer.

The 62-year-old father-of-two, who had farmed in the area as part of a family partnership all his life, was taken to hospital but died two days later.

Mr Preece was described as fit and healthy before the accident and doctors have likened his death to the freak accident that killed Australian cricketer Phil Hughes earlier this year.

Hughes also died two days after being struck on the top of the neck by a ball during a domestic match in Sydney.

Mr Preece's family said in a statement: "He was a devoted husband and loving father and grandfather. We are all still reeling from the shock of it all."

The father-of-two was cared for by his wife, June, and brother in the farmyard immediately after the accident last Wednesday. He was airlifted to Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Mr Preece is survived by his wife and daughters, Debbie and Rachel.

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, said Mr Preece was 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."

Richard's father, Henry, said: "The absolute tragedy of local farmer Keith Preece dying from an accident involving cattle handling highlights the danger taken day after day livestock farming."

An inquest is yet to be opened into Mr Preece's death.