Northland man attacked and crushed by cow - Stuff

A Northland man has been left with back and chest injuries after being charged by a cow.

The man was attacked on Friday lunchtime in Pouto, south of Dargaville.

He was attending to the cow's 3-day old calf when she attacked him from behind.

The Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called to the remote area to help the man, who is in his 50s.

He was taken to Whangarei Hospital in a serious condition.

Intensive care flight paramedic Rusty Clark said the man was very lucky.

"When we hear that someone has been hit or crushed by a large animal, we always prepare for the worst because of the amount of weight these animals have."

Injuries caused by cows are commonplace on New Zealand farms, according to ACC figures.

In 2015, cattle and humans had 4350 run-ins, costing the country $6.6 million.