Urgent police plea as Northumberland walker dies after he is charged by cows

Malcolm Flynn, 72, of Carlisle, was pronounced dead at the Northumberland scene after emergency services were called.

Northumbria Police have now appealed for untraced witnesses to the incident, which took place on land near Thirlwall Castle and Gilsland, in the west of the county, at around 11.45am on Friday, September 11, to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Jane Fairlamb, from the force’s homicide and major enquiry team, said on September 25: “My thoughts are with Malcolm’s family and friends at this time as they come to terms with the loss of a loved one in what was a shocking and tragic incident.

“Our investigation is very much ongoing and we have already spoken to a number of witnesses, however, we are still trying to trace a number of people who were in the area at the time who we haven’t yet spoken to, and think could greatly assist our enquiries.

“If you were near Thirlwall Castle, Gilsland or the Walltown Country Park on September 11, we would be interested in hearing from you, especially if you saw Malcolm, who is described as a white male in his 70s.

“He was wearing glasses and a sun hat, a T-shirt covered by a fleece, and a telescopic stick out walking with another male wearing walking boots, shorts and a fleece.”

People officers wish to trace include:

- A white male with grey hair and a grey beard walking a dog who is believed to have walked past Mr Flynn and his friend shortly before the incident near a signpost on the footpath;

- A male and female, believed to be in their 40s, who spoke to the pair before they entered the field;

- A group of four walkers who spoke with Mr Flynn’s walking companion immediately after the incident and offered to alert the farmer, as well as another male who entered the field in a bid to try and divert the animals away from the scene. It is thought he also left a fleece behind.

Contact police by calling 101, quoting log number 387 110920.

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