A stock agent was killed at a saleyard this morning when he was attacked by a bull.
The Friesian bull was being moved on its own between yards at Stortford Lodge, Hastings, about 9.30am when it attacked the man.
The agent, aged 62 and recently married, was taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital but had already died.
Yards manager Bruce Campbell said the agent was behind an alleyway gate which the bull lifted off its hinges.
The agent ran into another yard to escape but the bull followed him and rammed him against the yard rails before getting him on the ground and attacking him.
Another agent finally managed to stop the animal by hitting it on the nose with a long stick.
"It was awful and has given us all a real shake-up," Mr Campbell said.
He said it was the first such fatality at the 103-year-old yards that he knew of.
It had to be possible to lift the alleyway gates off their hinges in case any stock became stuck behind them, he said.
The two-year-old bull arrived at the yards from the Tutira area. It had travelled with a mob of steers and was being drafted off to be sold on its own.
Mr Campbell called in police to shoot the bull but they did not want to do so in a built-up area.
It is understood it was loaded on to a truck while its fate was decided.
Friesian bulls are not known for their dangerous temperament though all bulls must be treated with respect. Today's sale went ahead.
- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY
Man killed in bull attack
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