UPDATED: DOG WALKER ATTACKED BY COWS NEAR NITON AIRLIFTED TO HOSPITAL

A dog walker has been flown to a mainland hospital after being attacked by a herd of cows on remote downland near Niton this morning (Thursday). The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) was scrambled to the incident at around 09:30, initially landing near St Catherine’s Lighthouse – the most southerly point on the Island. After around 20 minutes on the ground, the helicopter relocated to the village of Niton, landing in a field off Pan Lane. It then soon relocated again to land directly next to the casualty, located in the middle of no where off the NT57 footpath just north of St Catherine’s Oratory – also known as The Pepperpot. Paramedics and an operational commander from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service had located the injured male in the hard-to-reach location before directing the air ambulance medics in. Island Echo understands that the local male was walking his 4 dogs in the area when he was suddenly attacked by the herd of cows. Following the ordeal the dogs made off, with 1 of the pets – which is blind – still missing in the local area. Members of the public and the casualty’s wife managed to locate and keep hold of the other 3 dogs. Efforts to locate the final dog are remain ongoing. The injured walker has been flown directly to Southampton General Hospital – more than 2 hours after the attack. This is the second incident involving dogs walkers and farm animals in this exact area in recent months, following an identical incident earlier this year, as previously reported by Island Echo. UPDATE @ 15:45 – The missing dog has since been found Island Echo understands.