Incident Overview
An 85-year-old hiker met a tragic fate in the Austrian Alps after a herd of cows trampled him and his wife during their walk with their dog, local authorities reported on Monday.
The elderly couple, aged 82 and 85, were trekking towards a mountain hut in Ramsau am Dachstein, located in Austria’s Styria province, when the incident occurred on Sunday afternoon.
Details of the Attack
Markus Lamb, a spokesperson for local police, described the event, stating, “A retired couple from Vienna and their dog were walking just below the so-called Austria hut when a herd of nine cows — including three calves — charged and severely injured them.”
Witnesses, including other hikers and staff from a nearby refuge hut, quickly provided first aid and contacted emergency services. Subsequently, the couple was transported to a hospital in Salzburg.
Unfortunately, the man succumbed to his injuries before he could receive emergency surgery, according to officials.
Investigation and Context
Local prosecutors are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack, awaiting an autopsy to determine further details.
Fatal encounters with cows are uncommon in Austria, a nation of over nine million people, where the picturesque mountains attract numerous tourists and grazing herds. Notably, in 2024, another tragic incident occurred in the Salzburg region when a woman hiking with two small dogs was killed by a charging herd of cows.
In response to past incidents, including a deadly attack a decade ago, the Austrian government issued a “code of conduct” for hikers. This guide stresses the importance of maintaining a safe distance from cows and suggests walking dogs on short leads while advising pet owners to release them in case of a threatening encounter.
