Isle of Wight man rescued from tree after encounter with angry cow
Hampshire Fire sent crews to help and say they found the cow at the foot of the tree where the man was trapped
Last updated 4th Feb 2026
Fire crews on the Isle of Wight have rescued a man who was hiding in a tree to get away from an angry cow.
The man was walking his dog on a public footpath through Whiteley Bank this morning, when he noticed an escaped calf.
A cow, feeling protective of its nearby calf, ran through a fence, forcing the man to climb the tree for safety.
Firefighters found the cow at the foot of the tree where the man was trapped.
Once it was coaxed away to a nearby field by the owner, the man was able to climb down and was reunited with his dog.
Control room operators provided reassurance throughout the ordeal before the arrival of Shanklin and Newport teams at around half nine.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service left the scene and returned to the station at around 11am.
They're reminding people to keep their distance from animals in the countryside as they have strong maternal instincts to protect their young.
They also are reminding people to not get too close to livestock and to always keep your dog on a lead.
If you feel threatened by an animal, the service say to remain calm and find a safe place.