A FARMER has died after reports that he was trampled by a bull in a field.

Police say they were called to a field south of Hutton Rudby, near Stokesley, North Yorkshire, at about 3.20pm on Monday after being alerted that a man had been trampled by a bull. 

He has been named locally as 67-year-old farmer Brian Swales, of Thorn Farm off Trenholme Bar, near Hutton Rudby.

He had been tending to his cattle as they grazed on adjacent land belonging to neighbouring farmer, Charles Flintoff, of Doddle Hill Farm, when the incident happened.

It is understood Mr Swales was on his own in the field and was found surrounded by his cattle. 

At this stage it is not certain whether he had suffered a heart attack and the cattle gathered around him after he collapsed or whether his injuries were caused by the cattle.

It is believed one of the bulls has since been slaughtered.

Mr Flintoff was in another field when Mr Swales collapsed and rushed to the scene as emergency services were alerted. 

Paramedics from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) attended to try to resuscitate Mr Swales but he was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) was also called but did not land.

Mr Swales was a second generation farmer at the Hutton Rudby farm and was well known in the local community. 

In his earlier days had been involved in local agricultural shows. 

Mr Swales was married and had children. 

He had many local connections in the tight-knit community, including his cousin, Tim Swales, an Osmotherley councillor and garage owner.

North Yorkshire Police are now preparing a file for the coroner and an inquest is expected to take place.

Northallerton and Bedale Inspector Dave Murray said: “Police are investigating this tragic incident but believe there are no suspicious circumstances. 

“The man’s family is being supported by specially-trained officers at this incredibly difficult time”. 

A spokesman for the NFU said the union’s thoughts were currently with Mr Swales’ family.

“We were shocked to hear of the death of such a well-liked member of the local farming community and our thoughts are with his family and friends,” she said.

“The police are carrying out a thorough investigation into the incident and hopefully will be able to shed some light on what happened when they make their report to the coroner.”