Walker killed and wife critically hurt in bull attack

Police believe the bull attacked as darkness fell

A 63-year-old man has been killed and his wife, 67, was critically injured in an attack by a bull in Nottinghamshire.

The couple, wearing walking gear, were near the Leicestershire border when it happened at about 1630 GMT on Friday.

It is unclear why the bull attacked the pair, who were walking on a footpath near the village of Stanford on Soar.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. His wife is said to be in a critical condition in the Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham.

It is understood the woman had to crawl under a hedge and managed to get to the nearby road just after the attack.

She flagged down a passing female motorist who contacted emergency services.

The couple, who have not yet been named, were both from Glen Parva, Leicester, and had two sons who both travelled to be at their mother's bedside on Saturday, Nottinghamshire Police said.

The man's elderly parents have also been informed about his death.

Police said the couple had been in a livestock field as darkness was falling when the bull attacked.

The animal was contained by the farmer and put down.

Detective Inspector Melanie Bowden said: "This was a truly tragic incident. The family are distraught and we are supporting them through this difficult time."

Police inquiries will now continue in a joint investigation with the Health and Safety Executive.

A post-mortem examination is expected to take place early next week.