Retired Nurse, 59, Dies After Being Trampled by Cows While Walking Her Dog

A woman in southwest England has died after being trampled by a herd of cows while walking her dog on Exmoor.

Rebecca Jane Hitchings, 59, was walking in the national park earlier this month when the tragic incident occurred, according to the BBC. She suffered severe injuries and was airlifted to a hospital in Plymouth, where she later died from her wounds on Thursday, Oct. 16.

A coroner, Philip Spinney, confirmed that Hitchings died from blunt trauma leading to hemorrhagic shock — a form of hypovolemic shock caused by major blood loss. Healthline describes hypovolemic shock as a condition that “occurs when the body begins to shut down due to the loss of large amounts of blood or fluid.”

An inquest into Hitchings’ death was opened in Devon and has been adjourned pending transfer to another coroner for a full hearing, per the BBC.

Hitchings, a retired nurse originally from Exeter, was living in the village of Woodcombe at the time of her death. Authorities have not yet confirmed what happened to her dog following the attack.