A Scottish farmer and entrepreneur who was attacked and gored by his herd of 300 water buffalo has told The Courier he has been ”touched” by the numerous get well messages he has received.
Steven Mitchell (30), who runs The Buffalo Farm in Auchtertool near Kirkcaldy, underwent more surgery on Sunday but admitted he did not know when he would be back on the farm.
Mr Mitchell, who remains in Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, said he was ”so, so grateful” for all the messages of support and ”couldn’t speak highly enough” of the hospital staff who were looking after him.
”I had more surgery yesterday and am feeling quite groggy today,” he said. “I’m looking forward to making some progress now. The wounds in my legs are all stitched up now. I hope to get on my feet a wee bit later today.
”I still don’t have a timescale for how long I’ll be in hospital they are still finding the true extent of my injuries.
”Some of the wounds are rather unusual and there will be a bit more surgery towards the middle of the week.
”The doctors are being quite vague about my recovery period so I’ll keep taking the medicine and do what the doctors tell me.”
As revealed by The Courier on Saturday, Steven was severely injured after the herd turned on him during a photo shoot.
The animals dragged him about 50 yards across a field and through a pond, leaving him bloodied and bruised and with severe puncture wounds to his lower body.
Mr Mitchell said he felt ”lucky to be alive” and praised two Fife Council staff, including the photographer, whose quick-thinking saved his life.
Mr Mitchell was being photographed by staff members from Fife Council’s Libraries, Arts, Museums and Archives service to help with the People’s Favourite Picture campaign which will help celebrate the reopening of Kirkcaldy Museum.
After turning his back on the herd to get his picture taken, a cow charged Mr Mitchell and let out a “war cry” apparently because she thought her calf was under threat. This cry was the signal for the whole herd to attack.
They circled round and started goring him to protect the young. Mr Mitchell tried to play dead thinking they would stop. He was trying to protect his upper torso. But they dragged him across the field and through a pond.
Mr Mitchell says he is only alive because the heroic Fife Council staff who have declined to speak about the incident ran back to his pick-up, which had the keys in it. They could not get the handbrake off but they managed to drive it across the field with the horn blaring. This dispersed the herd and they rushed Steven to hospital where underwent emergency surgery for wounds to his calf, thighs and backside.
Mr Mitchell added: ”I’ve been quite touched by the level of interest. A lot of good wishes have been passed on. I’m so, so grateful for all the messages of support.”