Bull crushes student

A 19-year-old student was killed by a bull in Canterbury yesterday in a freak farm tragedy.

Inspector Dave Gaskin of South Canterbury police said the farming student had been working with another farmhand loading bulls on a stock truck when he was attacked.

The charolais bull apparently cornered the youth in the truck after he became separated from his fellow worker.

"The other guy had left the truck and he [the victim] was in the back when he was attacked," Mr Gaskin said.

The Herald understands the youth was crushed against the inside of the stock truck.

Emergency services were called to Clayton Station, near Fairlie, 60km northwest of Timaru, about 10.45am.

Ambulance control sent a helicopter, but a local doctor confirmed that the youth was already dead.

His body was taken to Timaru Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Police were still notifying family last night before confirming the youth's identity.