A woman who was nearly killed by a herd of mad cows has spoken of the life-changing effects of her injuries. The farmer’s insurer has since paid out.
NHS chief executive Jill Gilmore still suffers from the horrific trampling and injuries she sustained when she fell under the wild-eyed, bellowing and snorting hooves of cattle.
Jill, 57, from Stockport, was walking with her husband Mark and their dog Finnegan along a public footpath through a field on August 10, 2021, when they saw a herd of cows.
However, there was no fencing to separate the herd from the public.
Jill was attacked by several cows, preventing Mark, 60, from reaching her.
A woman who was nearly killed by a herd of mad cows has revealed the life-changing impact of her injuries
Three years later, NHS manager Jill Gilmore is still suffering the horrific trampling and beatings, and now the farmers’ insurers have paid out their money
Jill suffered fractures to her spine, neck, ribs and pelvis, and suffered a punctured lung
He began to throw his belongings to the cattle, who jumped up and down on his wife.
The herd scattered and Mark managed to get her under a broken fence to safety.
She was conscious but suffered fractures to her spine, neck, ribs and pelvis and had a collapsed lung.
She was airlifted from the scene of the accident in Hazel Grove to hospital and after a number of operations was confined to a wheelchair for five months.
Serious injury lawyers Irwin Mitchell took on the case and announced today that the farmer’s insurers have accepted liability and provided funds to cover the costs of her extensive physical and psychological rehabilitation.
Despite her miraculous recovery, she still suffers from physical limitations and continues to experience psychological problems.
She spoke for the first time about the impact of her injuries and told of the horrors of being approached by a cow during the walk.
She tried to run away and let go of Finnegan’s leash, but was run over by the cows, many of which weighed nearly a ton.
After being discharged home in October 2021, she was cared for by Mark, an accountant at the University of Manchester, and was confined to a wheelchair until January 2022.
Despite the nature and severity of her injuries, she has fully committed to her rehabilitation and has made a remarkable recovery, even successfully returning to work.
However, she continues to struggle with physical limitations and psychological problems.
‘I don’t remember much about the attack itself, other than walking down the path with Mark and Finnegan before the cows came into view.
‘They came at me and I started running, but I fell to the ground and then they started chasing me. I don’t remember, but Mark said they were jumping up and down on me.
‘The next thing I remember clearly is being taken to the hospital. My whole body was aching and I couldn’t really imagine what had happened.
‘Since that day our lives have changed completely. To this day I still struggle with what I went through, both physically and emotionally, and it certainly hasn’t been easy for Mark either.
‘We’ve been out together so many times, but I never thought I’d be attacked by a herd of cows. It’s like something you see on a TV drama.
“Since that day our lives have changed completely. To this day I still struggle with what I went through, both physically and emotionally, and it has not been easy for Mark either,” said Jill
‘I know I am incredibly lucky to be alive and I am so grateful to everyone who has helped me, especially Mark who has been so supportive.
‘And while nothing can change my suffering that day, I hope by sharing my story I can prevent this from happening to others.
‘Farmers have a responsibility to keep their livestock and the public safe. Walkers need to be aware of the potential risks so they can be prepared or make a conscious decision to avoid them.’
Irwin Mitchell’s Matt Brown said: ‘The past three years have been incredibly difficult for Jillian, who is coming to terms with her injuries, and also for Mark, who is struggling to come to terms with the horrors he witnessed that day.
Although Jillian has made great strides in her recovery, she still faces many challenges and it is likely that she will suffer from what happened for the rest of her life.
‘We continue to support Jillian and Mark as they navigate this difficult time. We are also sharing their story with them to encourage others to be extra careful and cautious around livestock, as their behavior can often be unpredictable, especially when they are with their young.
‘It is also vital that farmers take appropriate measures to keep their animals separate from the public, particularly if the animals are behaving in a way that could cause serious injury. They should also put up signs at the entrance to fields to let people know that there are cows with calves in the field and the risks involved.’
As part of Farm Safety Week, Irwin Mitchell is reminding walkers and farmers of steps they can take to improve safety in the countryside.