A “fiercely independent” mother who loved the outdoors was found trampled to death by a herd of cows as she walked her dog.
Kathy McKellar, 74, had been staying in a holiday cottage in Grindleton, Lancashire, in September last year when she went for a stroll with cockapoo Archie.
Later that day the owner of the cottage, John Turner, found the dog with his lead still attached after he made his way back.
When he was unable to find Kathy, Mr Turner called 999 before going to look for her, Lancslive reported.
The following day farmer David Towler found Kathy’s body in a field and she was later pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services.
Speaking at an inquest held today, Kathy's son Andy described his mum as a "fiercely independent" woman who loved tennis, walking and baking.
He said: “She would go on this sort of holiday regularly, she did everything for herself, and she brought up my brother and I pretty much on her own.
"She loved being outside and walking the dog; it was their happy place. Mum grew up in Clitheroe, that's where her family is from, but she moved to Macclesfield when she had me.
"We lost my nan two years ago from old age so mum liked to come back up here to feel more connected to her part of the world.
“Although she was 74 she was still working part-time."
A post mortem CT scan revealed Kathy died from traumatic chest injuries including fractured vertebrae and ribs.
Mr Towler told proceedings he was checking his animals on the farm when he noticed a bag on the grass which led him to Kathy’s body.
He said has not had any issues with any of his cows or bulls being aggressive and would sell any showing unusual behaviours or temperament.
He said: “They can be quite protective when they have calves but only in the first few weeks; these calves were around five months old.
“We have two sheepdogs and we have sheep grazing with the cows so they're used to my dogs being around.”
The inquest heard there had been a previous incident involving a female walker suffering an injury when she disturbed some sleeping cows in one of Mr Towler's fields in 2018.
In response the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advised Mr Towler to move the water and feed troughs and put up a warning sign.
HSE inspector Shellie Bee visited Scriddles Croft Farm a few weeks after Kathy's death and noted the warning sign had fallen down.
However, she concluded as Kathy had entered the field via a different gate, she would not have seen the sign even if it had been up.
The investigation concluded Mr Towler had followed all guidance issued to farmers regarding keeping members of the public safe from cattle.
However, because the specific circumstances leading to Kathy's death were not known, Mr Towler was issued with a notice requiring him to fence off the public footpath in this particular field.
The inquest heard that, on average, there is one death a year in the UK relating to a member of the public being trampled by cattle. During 2021 there were five fatalities but this was during Covid lockdown when more people were going out for a walk.
Kathy's son Andy voiced concerns that farmers are only issued guidance by the HSE instead of strict regulations.
He added: "People have died because they are just guidelines and that doesn't feel good enough.
Guidelines are guidelines; you don't have to follow them and I just don't want to see this happen to anyone else."
Assistant Coroner Kate Bisset returned a narrative conclusion.
Outside court Kathy's son Andy said he hoped that by raising awareness walkers would be more cautious around livestock and that farmers would ensure the public are protected as best as they can be.
