Farmer Died After Cow Headbutt; Coroner Cites Lack of Helmet

A farm worker in Tasmania died from severe traumatic brain injury after being headbutted by a dairy cow, an inquest has revealed. Karl Wayne Stokes, 50, was working at Beattie-Lester Beef in Lileah on August 1, 2024, when he was struck by the animal.

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Mr Stokes was not going very fast but caught up to the cow.

Coroner Madeleine Wilson stated that Stokes was attempting to usher cows into a yard on his all-terrain vehicle (ATV) when one strayed. While trying to retrieve the animal, Stokes was headbutted to the head as the cow turned towards him. He fell from the ATV and landed face down, remaining unresponsive.

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He pulled up on the right-hand side of the cow, between it and the fence. As he did so, the cow began to quicken its pace.

Stokes was airlifted to Royal Hobart Hospital, where scans showed severe brain injury and swelling. A neurosurgeon determined he would not survive, and he died two days later from complications. The coroner noted that Stokes' failure to wear a helmet, which he usually did, was an "aberration" likely contributing to the severity of his injuries. His daughter mentioned he appeared to be in a hurry that day, possibly leading to the oversight.

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Mr Stokes went to drive past the cow, but it turned towards him and struck him to the head with her head.