Farmers to pay £100,000 after teacher killed in cow attack

A farming business has been told to pay more than £100,000 after a teacher was trampled to death in Northumberland.

Marian Clode, 61, was on holiday with her family when she was attacked by a cow while walking on a public bridleway.

She was butted several times by the cow in front of her two young grandchildren and died three days later in hospital from spinal injuries.

See also: Tips on staying legal with bulls and cows near footpaths

JM Nixon & Son, which runs Swinhoe Farm, Belford, Northumberland, pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court to failing to ensure the safety of a non-employee by exposing them to risks from cattle movements, breaching health and safety regulations.

The company was fined £72,500 and ordered to pay £34,700 costs.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company had failed to put in place a system of work that was safe.

There was a lack of an appreciation of the risk posed to any pedestrians or cyclists that might encounter cattle on the bridleway, the HSE said.

Mrs Clode had been staying at a holiday let at Swinhoe Farm in April 2016 with her husband when she and her family, which included her two grandchildren, then aged seven and eight, decided to go for a walk on a public right of way to St Cuthbert’s Cave.

Moving cattle

At the same time, farmer Alistair Nixon and two farmworkers were moving around 16 beef cattle and calves from winter sheds to grazing fields, the court heard.

The route was undulating and the farmworkers were not aware of the oncoming family as they were at the rear of the herd.

Effective precautions to warn the walkers of the herd, such as signage and lookouts, were not in place.

When the cows appeared over the brough of the hill “at speed”, most of the family, including the two young grandchildren, clambered over a barbed wire fence for cover. But Mrs Clode, who was at the head of the group, was caught next to a gate.

Prosecutors said the lead cow charged at her two or three times, causing her fatal injuries.

In a statement, her family said: “Marian lost her life because of JM Nixon and Son’s failure to implement even the most basic safe systems of work.

“Marian’s death was completely avoidable, which makes coming to terms with our loss even more difficult. She was dearly loved and still so sadly missed.”

Holiday tragedy ‘avoidable’ – HSE 

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Jonathan Wills said: “This horrific tragedy during a family holiday could have been prevented.

“Had the company carefully planned the movement of cattle from their winter housing along a popular route used by walkers and cyclists and put sensible, inexpensive measures in place, this incident would not have happened.

“Public knowledge – and concern – is increasing about how dangerous cattle can be.

“Farmers should not place cattle with calves in fields where members of the public have a legal right to walk.”