A MAN has been seriously injured after being trampled by cows while on holiday.

The victim, from Surrey, was walking his dog in fields in Clehonger, just outside Hereford, when the incident happened at about 6pm on Saturday.

His plight was spotted by people in a nearby cottage who rushed to help.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service community first responder (CFR) was first on scene, backed up by an emergency care practitioner and an ambulance.

Emergency care practitioner, Ian O'Connor, said: "When the villagers approached the man, one of the cows was still standing on him.

"They managed to get the animals away and then helped the man back to a nearby house.

"He had a potentially very serious chest injury, which I was able to relieve at the scene, but it still required urgent hospital attention.

"He also had a dislocated right knee and a fracture to his left wrist.

"As a precaution we immobilised him using a neck collar and spinal board before taking him to Hereford County Hospital for further assessment and treatment.

"I must pay tribute to the CFR who was first at the cottage. She did an excellent job providing an initial assessment and reassurance.

"The people that came to the man's aid also deserve praise. Not only did they provide assistance to him, but they found his dog and were more than happy to provide it a temporary home while the man went to hospital."