A MAN has been killed by cows while walking in the Yorkshire Three Peaks area of the Dales, at Ribblehead.

The 82-year-old man was with his elderly wife and were walking their dogs in a field near Ribblehead viaduct, say police.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said the incident was a ‘tragic set of circumstances’ and occurred just before 2pm on Saturday.

He said it appeared the cows were protecting their calves.

The 82-year-old man was attended by paramedics but died at the scene.

His wife was taken to Lancaster Royal Infirmary by ambulance badly shaken and suffering from shock. She is not thought to be seriously injured.

The air ambulance service was also called because of the remote location.

A woman posting on a social media site whose husband witnessed the attack has warned dog walkers to be aware that cows can attack dogs while protecting their calves.

The poster tells people to ‘let their dogs go’ if they find themselves in this situation as the dogs are able to run away.

She said her husband took the dogs to a local vet for treatment. She said one was injured more than the other and hopes it pulls through.