A livestock market in Wales has been fined £75,000 after a man was trampled by a cow that had escaped, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has said.
75-year-old Huw Evans was knocked down and trampled by the cow, which was being auctioned at the livestock market run by J.J. Morris Limited, on November 19, 2022.
The cow was being unloaded into a pen at Whitland Livestock Market but managed to escape before heading towards Whitland, Carmarthenshire.
A HSE investigation found J.J. Morris Limited, which has operated Whitland Livestock Market for over 30 years, failed to implement basic, physical control measures to prevent cattle from escaping.
Additionally, the company’s risk assessment was not suitable nor sufficient as it referenced control measures that were not present at the market.
J.J. Morris Limited, of High Street, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
It was fined £75,000 and ordered to pay £5,047.55 in costs at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court today (Thursday, June 20).
Evans, who also lived in Whitland, had been crossing the junction at North Road and West Street when he was attacked by the cow.
He suffered multiples injuries and was flown to the University Hospital of Wales where he died six days later November 25, 2022.
A worker at J.J. Morris Limited was injured in an unsuccessful attempt to capture the cow, which later ran towards Whitland Rugby Club and a railway line before being captured and put down by Dyfed-Powys Police.
‘Forseeable and preventable’
HSE inspector Rhys Hughes said: “This tragic incident was foreseeable and preventable. The risk posed by cattle escaping from the livestock mart should have been identified, and effective control measures implemented.
“The case highlights the importance of following industry guidance, which is readily accessible and outlines the requirements to safely manage cattle.”
Evans’ son, Dafydd, said in his victim personal statement: “Dad was my best friend and I miss him terribly, he was taken from us too soon.
“Losing Dad has had a tremendous effect on both myself and my brother.
“Because of this incident Dad’s grandsons will never fully know him personally and he will not see them grow up.”
