Hiker, 85, Killed by Herd of Cows
An 85-year-old man has died after he and his wife were trampled by a herd of cows while hiking in the Austrian Alps, police said on Monday.
The couple, both retirees from Vienna, were walking their dog near a mountain hut in the Styria region when nine cows — including three calves — suddenly charged, according to CBS News. Authorities believe the animals were startled by the couple’s dog, a mixed breed that sustained minor injuries.
Both hikers suffered serious injuries in the attack. Witnesses and staff from the nearby mountain refuge hut rushed to assist and called emergency services. The man and his 82-year-old wife were airlifted to a hospital in Salzburg, but he died before undergoing surgery, a police spokesperson told AFP.
An investigation into the incident is underway, Tiroler Tageszeitung reported.
Although fatal cow encounters are rare in Austria, where cattle often graze freely in alpine areas popular with hikers, similar tragedies have occurred. Last year, a woman was trampled to death while walking her two small dogs in Salzburg.
Following a deadly cow attack a decade ago, Austria implemented safety guidelines for hikers, including advice to keep dogs on a short leash near livestock. However, if cows become aggressive, experts recommend releasing dogs immediately to avoid escalating the situation.
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