Hillwalker left for dead after being trampled by cattle on Munro footpath

An experienced walker has told how she pretended to be dead after being trampled by a herd of cattle while Munro bagging in the Highlands.

Mary-Jane Parker was ambushed by the animals on the approach to her first ascent near Newtonmore, while out with her dog, Lola, in August.

The 61-year-old was crushed and dragged during the ordeal, which left her with ten broken ribs, a broken sternum, a broken right hand, pooling of blood in the chest wall, bruised lungs, major leg trauma and multiple bruises to the head, face and body.

Despite usually staying wary and respectful of cows on open ground, Mary-Jane came across the herd hidden behind a bank of high ground.

“I didn’t see them until I skirted the mound and found myself just feet away from them”, she explained.

Within seconds, she was surrounded.

“One of them put its head down and started thumping the ground,” she said, “I was terrified, I couldn’t escape.

“My little dog Lola panicked, broke out of her collar and bolted just as the cows attacked.

“I was crushed between two of the cows, swept off my feet and carried between them as they charged off along the track. I could feel my body being crushed between these animals, but couldn’t stop them or get my feet on the ground.

“I was thrown to the ground, but my rucksack strap was wrapped around one of the cow’s legs, and it dragged me along the ground. Next thing I knew, I was tossed up in the air, then crashed back to earth.”

Mary-Jane suffered extensive injuries SCAA

The attack lasted just a few minutes, but her injuries were extensive.

“I saw a massive wound on my left leg – my calf was ripped open from knee to ankle, and the muscle was hanging out.

“The cows didn’t move off – I was terrified they would trample me or attack me again. I decided to play dead and keep as still as I could, and hope they moved away without hurting me further.

“I could feel the breath of one in my hair as it munched the grass at my head. Another was licking the blood on my wound. A third kept kicking my boot.

“I could see my phone lying about 8m away, but couldn’t reach it. It was torture. At any moment, one could kill me – even by accident – the danger was far from over.”

Mary-Jane was taken to hospital by SSCA SCAA

Mary-Jane lay still for 45 minutes, while the cattle mulled nearby, and focused on trying to stay alive.

“I put my right leg over the open wound to try and protect it”, she said. “I assumed they had killed Lola, but I couldn’t let my head be filled with awful thoughts.”

Luckily, the experienced walker was able to activate her Garmin emergency alert and tracking device on her rucksack beside her head, triggering the SOS alert.

“Keep holding on, don’t go to sleep, don’t lose consciousness,” she told herself.

“Keep breathing, I said over and over to myself. Help will come.”

The first voices Mary-Jane heard were fellow hillwalkers who chased off the cattle and rushed to her aid, reassuring her that her dog was safe and well.

Minutes later, police and paramedics arrived and transported her off the hill to a waiting ambulance.

“A doctor and advanced nurse practitioner then arrived and judged that my injuries were so extensive that a road ambulance wouldn’t make it to hospital in time,” she said.

“The pain was crippling – I’ve never experienced anything like it.

“I was aware I was surrounded by wonderful people who were all intent on saving my life – but it might not be enough.”

Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance was scrambled to the scene, giving Mary-Jane the best hope of survival and prompt surgical intervention.

“I heard SCAA’s helicopter coming in and landing beside the ambulance. What a relief. I started to feel hope again.

Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance was there to take Mary-Jane to hospital — Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance was there to take Mary-Jane to hospital SCAA

“A lovely SCAA paramedic called Claire kept a comforting hand on my arm at all times. I felt so safe and reassured. SCAA was the best blend ever of professionalism, caring and kindness all wrapped into one.

“I was in a huge amount of pain. I felt my leg was going to explode – it was agony. They gave me a painkilling drug that sent me reeling, but I knew Claire was with me at all times, and although I was going through nightmares, I held on to that knowledge. I was safe. It would be alright.”

Landing at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary just 30 minutes later, Mary-Jane was rushed through X-ray and into theatre.

Ten days later, following various surgeries – including skin grafts – she was allowed to return home to Peebles where her recovery continues.

She explained: “It’s a miracle I made it out alive. I’m so grateful every day when I wake up and know I am still alive. What a gift it is. To be given that second chance.

“And it was SCAA that gave me that chance. This charity is why I am here today. I’m able to be with my family this Christmas because of SCAA.

“They were there on the worst day of my life. A day I thought might be my last. They weren’t just there – they were really there. Human beings to the core of what it means to be a human being. They weren’t just carrying out a function; they were so caring, and that makes such a difference.

“I thought I was done for out there on that track. I thought that was where it would all end for me. SCAA turned that on its head and got me where I needed to be – in time – to keep fighting and survive. I owe them everything.”