Horror as bull gores crof ter, 76, to death
A crofter has been found dead on his isolated farm following a ‘horrific incident’ involving a bull.
emergency services were called to 76-year-old Alastair Maclean’s croft after the alarm was raised.
the exact circumstances surrounding his death are not yet known, but sources described the scene at his property in Borgie, near Bettyhill, Sutherland, as ‘horrific’.
A police spokesman said officers were called to Mr Maclean’s croft following the tragedy on Monday and are liaising with the Health and Safety executive (HSe), although there appear to be no suspicious circumstances.
Shocked community leaders yesterday paid tribute to the retired milkman, who was well known along the North coast.
Strathy and Armadale community council chairman Janette Mackay said: ‘I was very sad to hear about Alastair’s death. He was a very pleasant gentleman.
‘We initially heard he was found dead at the peat stack and it was a heart attack but now we are hearing there was a bull involved. We are thinking about his family at this time.’
Mr Maclean left Golspie technical School aged only 15 for a job as a milkman, delivering to customers along the A863 and its side roads from tongue to thurso.
He bought the milk round in 1990, having worked alongside the owner, Donald Mackay, and retired in September, 2010.
Mr Maclean’s wife Jean worked for many years as a local district nurse.
the grandfather of three is survived by his wife and their children – Billy, who works at nearby Armadale farm, merchant seaman Andrew and daughter Iona.
A police spokesman said: ‘officers responded to the sudden death of a 76-year-old man at a farm in the Borgie Skerray area about 5pm on Monday.
‘Police are liaising with the Health and Safety executive but there are no apparent suspicious circumstances. A report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal.’
An HSe spokesman said: ‘We are aware of this incident and are investigating.’
Last month, Matthew Butler, 57, escaped serious injury after being trampled by a bull near Great chalfield Manor, in Wiltshire.
Mr Butler, of Acton turville, Gloucestershire, was walking with his wife when the bull tried to gore him.
In December, a farmer was given a 12-month suspended prison sentence by Swindon crown court after he failed to erect warning notices on his land, leading to a retired edinburgh University lecturer being trampled to death by cows.
father-of-two Michael Porter, 66, was knocked down on a path on a farm at turleigh, Wiltshire, in May 2013.