Elderly hiker killed in cow attack in Austrian Alps

Vienna: A hiker was killed and his wife seriously injured after being attacked by a herd of cows in the Austrian Alps.

According to international news agencies, the incident occurred on Sunday afternoon in the province of Styria.

Police reported that the 85-year-old man and his 82-year-old wife were hiking toward a mountain hut with their dog when a herd of cows suddenly attacked them, leaving both severely injured.

Nearby individuals provided first aid and alerted emergency services. The injured couple was transported to the hospital; however, the 85-year-old hiker later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital in Salzburg.

Police have launched an investigation, and further details will be released following the post-mortem examination.

It is worth noting that a similar fatal cow attack occurred in the Salzburg region in 2024, where a woman lost her life.

Following that incident, the Austrian government issued safety guidelines for hikers, advising them to keep a safe distance from cows, keep dogs close, and release them if an attack occurs to avoid provoking the animals.