Man 'traumatised' after being forced to play dead in muddy field full of angry cows

A man says he has been left traumatised after he had to play dead on a public footpath to avoid being killed by angry .

Retired clergyman Glyn Austin was walking his two along a stretch of the Coast Path in Carmarthenshire in September last year when he noticed a herd of cows blocking a path known locally as Bank y Lord. He decided to take a wide arc around the cattle, but was plunged into a terrifying ordeal that left him with six broken ribs - and that he says he will never fully recover from.

Glyn said: "I thought I was far enough away, my dogs weren't barking and were both on a lead, but they just came towards me and charged me - maybe 15 of them. Each time I tried to get up they knocked me over again and trampled me. I then just pretended I was dead."

The local now fears that others, including , could get seriously injured or worse if they were to walk the same route.

Glyn, who lives in Capel Iwan near Newcastle Emlyn, said he kept his eyes closed in fear for another attack, and could still hear the cows as they walked around him. He added: "I thought they were going to stop as they got nearer but they just didn't – it's as if it happened in slow motion. I was lying there, pretending to be dead, and I could hear them standing there breathing. I thought my time was up."

It wasn't until his dogs began barking that a passerby took notice and came over to help. The man manafed to scare the cows away before a Wales Air Ambulance helicopter was sent to the scene to take Glyn to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, where he stayed for six nights.

He was found to have suffered broken ribs, including one which was broken in two places, and bruising all over his body. Glyn claims there were no signs at the entrance to the footpath warning of the presence of cattle, and reported the incident to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Following an investigation, an inspector confirmed in writing that, after visiting the area, "it would be beneficial if clear signs are placed at either end of this footpath".

New signs that have been put up at the entrance point are warning walkers to keep dogs on leads and to "give cows space", but Glyn did both of these things - and still almost lost his life.

In a response, a HSE inspector said: "These cattle graze the marshland throughout the year and have done so for many years. I was concerned that work affecting the footpath on the day of the incident may have contributed to the cattle attacking you. I have found no evidence that this was the case, the cattle can freely access the footpath at any time.

"I have given advice and guidance in relation to the management of the footpath when works are undertaken. I have also provided guidance to provide those using the footpath information about the presence of cattle in that area, it would be beneficial if clear signs are placed at either end of this footpath. This is also potentially an issue at other locations and footpaths."

Looking back on the incident, Glyn said: "I don't think I will ever recover from that feeling that my life was about to end in a muddy field. It was a very frightening experience, one that has made me very cautious about walking anywhere near cattle. I do not believe anything will be done to address the presence of occasionally aggressive cattle on well subscribed footpaths like the Wales Coast Path until there is some sort of shocking accident when there are multiple casualties involving children. It seems to me that health and safety legislation only comes into being when there is a public outcry over an incident."

HSE principal inspector Wayne Owen said: "Farmers have a legal responsibility to manage their herds to reduce risk, as far as reasonably practicable, to people using footpaths and other rights of way. All large animals can be a risk to people. Even a gentle knock from a cow can result in people being crushed or falling. All cattle should be treated with respect. HSE provides guidance to farmers and landowners on cattle and public access in England and Wales, and in . Members of the public can find out about steps to safely enjoy the countryside and respect farming activities by following Government advice in The Countryside Code – GOV.UK."

The Wales Coast Path and Carmarthenshire Council were approached for comment.