Cow attack victim's death an accident - inquest

Malcolm Flynn died at the scene in Northumberland

The death of a retired teacher who was trampled by cows was accidental, an inquest jury has ruled.

Malcolm Flynn was subjected to a prolonged attack by the cattle while walking with a friend on a footpath near Hadrian's Wall in September 2020.

The 72-year-old, from Carlisle, died at the scene in a field at Thirlwell Castle Farm in Gilsland, Northumberland.

Jurors were told no individual or body would face gross negligence manslaughter or corporate manslaughter charges.

A four-day inquest in Morpeth heard Mr Flynn was walking with fellow-rambler Christopher Barkess, when they encountered the cows with calves.

Mr Barkess turned back and shouted to his friend to do the same, but saw him being flipped over, trampled and kicked.

He escaped by climbing a tree and called the emergency services.

Beef herd reduced

The hearing was told warning signs had been put up by Robert Scott, who farmed the land in a partnership with his son, after an incident where two walkers were hurt the previous year.

Mr Scott said he had been advised he would not be allowed to fence off the footpath because posts could damage archaeological objects close to Hadrian's Wall.

Jurors found Mr Flynn would have been aware of the cows, having been told about "frisky cattle" by other walkers who had crossed the field, and after a warning from his walking partner.

In considering if there were any measures the landowner could have put in place, they found that a fence could have been erected but was not put up due to a number of factors.

These were: the "financial impact" on the farmer, guidance from Northumberland National Park Authority and the farmer's belief signage was sufficient after informing the Health and Safety Executive that was what he would do following the 2019 incident, and not hearing anything in reply.

Footpaths have since been fenced to protect walkers and the farm has reduced the size of its beef herd from 80 to 55 after Mr Flynn's death.

Jurors heard a pen portrait from Mr Flynn's elder daughter Julia Proud, which said her father loved the outdoors.

She said: "The tragedy that happened is a bitter pill to swallow as it is something he had done so many times before and enjoyed."

Assistant Coroner Kirsten Mercer ruled that the death was accidental.