Hiker airlifted to hospital after being attacked by cow in Pyrénées
Man was gored by cow’s horn and taken to hospital in Spain
Several cow attacks have happened in the mountain range
Clara Bastian/Shutterstock
A hiker in the Pyrénées mountains needed to be airlifted to a hospital across the border in Spain earlier this week after being attacked by a cow.
The man was hiking with his family near Porté-Puymorens (Pyrénées-Orientales) on Monday afternoon (June 23) when a cow in a nearby field charged at him.
The cow punctured the man with its horn, causing him severe blood loss.
Local mountain rescue services were called and scrambled a helicopter to airlift the man off of the mountainside.
Due to his injuries, he was taken to the nearest hospital, which lies across the border in Puigcerdà.
There is still a level of uncertainty surrounding the incident. Original media reports stated the man is an American national, however others have since reported that he is Spanish.
His injuries were severe however there are no reports on his current condition.
This is not the first time such an attack has happened in the area.
Last week, a 70-year old hiker was pushed over by a cow near the Lac des Bouillouses in the Pyrénées.
In 2022, a young woman hiking in Porté-Puymorens was also gored by a cow.
She tripped as she was attempting to escape from the herd, dislocating her ankle, and also needed to be airlifted out of the area.
If you come across a herd of cows while hiking you should stay away from them and not pass too close.
Walkers should especially not try to pass through the middle of the herd and, if there are calves at the back, avoid doubling back and going near them.
If walking past a herd with your dog, keep it on a leash and try to avoid it agitating the cows. However if under threat release your dog so you both get to safety.
