Suffolk Show 'spooked' cow breaks loose in public area

A highland cow (breed pictured here) became spooked and broke into a public area

A highland cow caused commotion at a country show when it became "spooked" and broke loose into a public area.

The incident happened at the first day of the Suffolk Show near Ipswich on Wednesday, where about 80,000 people were in attendance.

"I honestly thought someone was going to die," tweeted one onlooker when the animal smashed through its enclosure.

Staff at the event managed to catch the cow and contained it by tying it to a marquee, the onlooker said.

Although no one was injured in the incident, another attendee said "it could have been very nasty".

Mike Warner, senior steward at the show, told BBC Radio Suffolk it was a "difficult environment for an animal which has got a youngster in tow".

"But, it's an agricultural show and we're prepared... for these eventualities," he added.