Bull attack woman fighting for life
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A woman critically injured by a bull which killed her husband was fighting for her life in hospital today.
Roger Freeman, 63, and his wife, Lucy Glenis Freeman - known to family and friends as Glenis - were attacked by the animal as they walked along a public footpath through a livestock field in Stanton-on-Soar, Nottinghamshire, on Friday.
Mr Freeman was pronounced dead at the scene, in Leake Road.
His 67-year-old wife managed to get to the nearby road, where she flagged down a passing woman motorist who contacted emergency services.
She was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham, where she remains in a critical but stable condition, a Nottinghamshire Police spokesman said.
The couple, from Glen Parva, Leicestershire, were keen walkers who were "always careful around livestock" a family statement released by police said.
They had visited Nottingham the evening before the incident to go to the theatre and were walking from a hotel in the city, where they had stayed overnight, to Loughborough when the bull attacked.
The family statement read: "Roger and Glenis' sons, Roger's mother, father and brother, and the rest of the family are absolutely devastated.
"Roger and Glenis were on a public footpath at the time of the incident and were always careful around livestock.
"We welcome the Health and Safety Executive investigation into the incident and hope for recommendations that prevent an incident like this occurring again.
"The family, without exception, would like to be left alone now to mourn the loss of Roger and give all possible support to the recovery of Glenis."
The family said the couple celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary by completing an 84-mile walk of Hadrian's Wall.
Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Dave Wakelin said: "My thoughts are with Roger and Glenis' family and friends at this difficult time.
"This was a truly tragic incident, which has rocked the close-knit community of Stanford-on-Soar.
"I would like to thank the local community for their continued co-operation with the police while we carry out our inquiries."
Police said Nottingham Coroner Dr Nigel Chapman had been informed of Mr Freeman's death and would open an inquest later this week.
The owner of the bull released a statement through police in which he spoke of his shock and distress over the incident.
Farmer Paul Waterfall, of Underhill Farm, said: "My family and I are deeply upset by what has happened.
"We are in shock and trying to come to terms with what I can only describe as a devastating and tragic incident. Our thoughts are with the couple's family at this time."
It is not clear why the bull attacked the couple. After being contained in a shed just after the attack, the animal was put down.
A joint investigation by Nottinghamshire Police and the Health and Safety Executive is under way into the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments