88-year-old dog walker trampled by cow in New Forest dies, inquest finds

An 88-year-old woman died after being trampled by a cow in the New Forest, an inquest at Winchester Coroner's Court heard on Wednesday.

Assistant Coroner Emma Morris recorded that Pamela Barnwell's cause of death was pelvic haemorrhage and polytrauma, and concluded the death was accidental with ischemic heart disease listed as a contributing factor. The court heard the incident occurred on October 21, 2024, near Godshill Cricket Club in the New Forest National Park, Hampshire.

Forestry England rangers who were checking car parks that day found Ms. Barnwell on the ground surrounded by what they estimated to be 20 to 30 cows and some calves. A ranger who gave a statement summarised in court said the woman was conscious and calling for help and told them one of the cows had "knocked her over and trampled her." Her Jack Russell, Rosie, was found nearby off its lead.

Ms. Barnwell was described in court as "fit and active." Her son, Spencer Barnwell, told the inquest she regularly walked in the area, covered about 25 miles a week and continued to work part time as an archivist at a law firm. He said his mother had "never encountered a threatening environment" on her usual routes.

Emergency services attended and Ms. Barnwell suffered a cardiac arrest en route to Southampton General Hospital. Hospital staff determined her injuries were so severe that they would focus on keeping her comfortable rather than attempting further treatment; she was unconscious when her family arrived at about 5 p.m. and died around 40 minutes later.

The owner of the cattle, named in court only as Mr. Reynolds, said his animals graze freely across the New Forest, including stock from his Smithfield farm in Godshill, and that there had been no prior signs of disturbance on the day of the incident.

Edward Holmes, director at Meesons & Spurlings Solicitors where Ms. Barnwell worked, previously paid tribute to her, saying she was "diminutive in stature but huge in personality" and had worked part time at the firm for more than 20 years. Court testimony described her as independent, energetic and engaged in a range of hobbies.

Ms. Barnwell lived in Fordingbridge, a small town close to Godshill. The inquest heard no evidence of deliberate provocation of the animals, and the coroner made no further findings of negligence or criminality. The conclusion reached was accidental death, with the presence of ischemic heart disease recorded as contributing to the outcome.

The case highlights tensions that can arise where free-roaming livestock share space with walkers in the New Forest National Park. Forestry England and local authorities set out guidance for walkers in areas with grazing animals, advising caution around cows with calves and recommending dogs be kept under close control. The inquest did not make recommendations beyond the coroner's findings concerning cause and circumstance of death.