London, March 02: A British firefighter was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after cows spooked by a fire truck charged and killed a farmer.
Harold Lee, 75, suffered serious head and chest injuries after being stampeded by his own herd, who were scared by the fire engine’s wailing sirens and flashing lights.
He died in hospital five days after the incident in Somerset, South West England, last August.
Following a six-month investigation, police confirmed that a 49-year-old man from Somerset was arrested this week on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence.
The unnamed firefighter was bailed until this Friday.
Lee’s son Andrew said he believed the accident might have been avoided if the fire crew, who were responding to an emergency, waited until the cows were safely herded off the road before proceeding.
“We have always said that this incident should not have happened.
“As a family we would like justice to help put this behind us as quickly as possible,” he told local newspaper the Bridgwater Mercury.
“Things are still pretty raw at the moment and will be until we get some answers as to why he died.”
—Agencies