A man (70s) has died after being attacked by a freshly calved cow in Mayo.
The farmyard accident occurred on Saturday evening (December 4th).
Man attacked by cow
Confirming the news to That’s Farming, a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said:
“Gardaí attended the scene of an incident on a farm in Belmullet, Co. Mayo on Saturday, December 4th, 2021.”
“A male, aged in his 70s, was taken to University Hospital Galway by Emergency Services where he later passed away.”
In a statement to That’s Farming, a spokesperson for the Health and Safety Authority said:
“I can confirm we are aware of this incident, and an investigation has been launched.”
Farm accidents
Last month, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine with Special Responsibility for Farm Safety, Martin Heydon, said he is “determined” to use his role to drive a cultural change on farms, “one that puts safety first”.
“I am determined to reduce the rate of serious and fatal incidents in the agricultural sector,” he explained.
“I am open to looking at all options that may assist in encouraging farmers, and all those living and working in agriculture, to work in a safe manner and to manage the risks that are present in agriculture.”
“Ultimately, we need farm safety to be the first thought every day,” he told attendees.
During his opening address, the minister pointed to statistics from the HSA, which he said, serve as a “stark reminder” of the dangers of farms.
He said that between 2016 and 2020, there were 100 fatal incidents on farms.
Of these:
- 46 involved a farm vehicle;
- 7 involved machinery;
- 20 involved livestock.
- “The age profile of those involved in farm incidents is also a serious concern. The old and the very young accounted for 65% of fatal incidents on farms.”
Of 54 workplace deaths in 2020, 20 were on farms, which he said is “disproportionate” to the share of the workforce (7.1% in 2019) employed in the sector.
“Every death is one too many. Behind each of these numbers are a family, a farm, and a local community that has suffered an irreversible loss.”
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, in Belmullet, Co Mayo. He was hospitalised and later died.){kind=link}