Cantabria cattle farmer dies after bull attack and hospital infection

The attack in Llerana

A 58-year-old cattle farmer died in Cantabria after sustaining injuries from one of his own bulls in the locality of Llerana, within the municipality of Saro. The incident took place during routine agricultural duties when the farmer untied and released the bull from its holding area so the animal could drink water. Upon being released, the bull turned on the farmer and launched an attack, goring him at close range. In the aftermath of the goring, the injured man managed to physically restrain and tie up the bull to prevent further attacks. Despite securing the animal, the severity of the wounds left him completely incapacitated and unable to escape the area on his own power.

Discovery and emergency response

The farmer was discovered inside the agricultural facility by his brother, who serves as an elected councillor in the Saro municipal government. The brother decided to walk over to the farm premises after becoming concerned by an abnormal break in the daily agricultural schedule. Specifically, the brother found it suspicious that the victim had not yet started the evening milking routine for the 80 head of cattle owned by the family. Upon finding the wounded farmer unable to move, the brother alerted emergency response authorities for immediate medical intervention. The regional emergency dispatch service, 112 Cantabria, officially registered the distress call at 19:38 on 6 August.

Medical evacuation and initial stabilization

Following the 19:38 emergency alert, the regional coordinating centre mobilized the 061 emergency medical service to respond to the rural property. The service dispatched an advanced life support ambulance, operating as a mobile intensive care unit (UVI móvil), directly to the location in Llerana. Paramedics and medical personnel provided immediate critical stabilization and first aid to the farmer on site. Once his condition was stabilized sufficiently for transit, the mobile unit evacuated him directly to the Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla in Santander. The medical team admitted the 58-year-old patient to the intensive care unit to treat the severe trauma caused by the bull attack.

Bacterial infection and hospital complications

During the initial days of his hospital admission at Valdecilla, medical staff observed tangible progress as the patient's condition showed initial improvement. However, while undergoing continued treatment in the intensive care unit, the farmer contracted a secondary bacterial infection. The infection deteriorated his clinical condition over the following days, resisting medical treatment. The patient remained hospitalized under continuous clinical care for a total of two weeks before passing away from the resulting complications.

Funeral and communal farewell

The fatal outcome concluded a two-week medical ordeal that mobilized both emergency responders and regional healthcare workers. Following his death, the local community in Saro organized funeral services to pay their respects to the long-time agricultural worker. The religious funeral took place on Friday, 21 August, at the parish church of San Lorenzo in the village of Llerana. Municipal representatives confirmed the details of the accident and the subsequent medical trajectory that led to his death.