Popular school deputy head killed by herd of cows while dog walking

David Clark, a popular school teacher was trampled to death by a herd of cows while he was out walking his dog.

This incident took place in a field just north of Richmond, North Yorkshire, on Monday, reports Independent.

Tributes have poured in for the married father, who was described as the "heart and soul" of Richmond School in a statement by head teacher Jenna Potter.

"Our thoughts are with Dave's wife, his children and wider family at this difficult time" she added.

"He was an enormous character, a brilliant school leader and simply a lovely man who enriched the life of everyone he came into contact with, just by being himself and doing what he did every day."

Clark joined the school in 1997 and was promoted to deputy head in 2003. The dedicated teacher was highly regarded by both colleagues and students.

The statement concluded, "Our students and their parents have been lucky to have known and been helped by him.  We have been privileged as a staff to have worked with him and will continue working in the same way in his memory.

Outside of teaching, Clark was an avid cyclist and sportsman. His local cycling club paid tribute to him in a Facebook post, writing "it is with immense sadness that we learned today that one of the club's most respected and long standing members, David Clark passed away due to a tragic accident."

North Yorkshire Police were reportedly called to the scene in the early evening after reports that a man in his 50s had been injured by cows.

In a statement, they said "he was treated by paramedics, but sadly he was pronounced dead at the scene". 

They added that The Health and Safety Executive has been informed and the exact circumstances around the death are being investigated.