Cambridge academic attacked by stag in Scottish Highlands remains in critical condition

The Cambridge academic gored by a stag in the Scottish Highlands on Monday remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital.

A colleague said doctors hope to operate on Kate Stone's trachea in the coming days.

The 44-year-old was attacked by the animal near Fort William, and left with injuries to her neck and spine caused by the stag’s antlers. She was treated by paramedics before being taken to Fort William's Belford hospital, and later transferred by air to the Southern General, in Glasgow.

A statement released by a colleague at Dr Stone's print firm Novalia confirmed she was in a critical but stable condition, and “doctors expect to operate in the next few days to repair damage to her trachea”.

“Her sister and friends are with her and have received messages of support from her many friends around the world. Our love and support goes to Kate and we wish her all the best for the speediest possible recovery,” the statement continued.

The attack happened in the early hours of 30 December, when Dr Stone and a group of friends were standing outside a private residence in Lochailort.

The Press and Journal reported that the stag appeared to single out Dr Stone who, standing at 6ft, was the tallest of the group.

Dr Stone has a PhD in physics and micro-electronics and is now a research engineer in Cambridge University’s Institute of Manufacturing.

It was feared that she could be left paralysed by the attack.