Man, 88, rescued after being terrorised by bull

An 88-year-old man was rescued today after he was chased into undergrowth by a bull and spent the night stuck there.

The man, who has not been named, is currently recovering in hospital after his ordeal, which started when he was walking on the coast path last night near Wembury, Devon.

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In his attempt to avoid the animal he got trapped in undergrowth and called 999, sparking a ten-hour search-and-rescue operation involving three helicopters.

A spokesman for Brixham coastguard said: "He is cold and wet and has been taken to hospital.

"Considering he is 88 and it was pretty cold last night he is remarkably well."

The man had left a note at his home in Plymouth saying he intended to walk the coast path from Wembury to Heybrook Bay and on to Down Thomas, then return via the same route.

He contacted a friend using his mobile phone just before police were alerted saying he had been confronted by a large bull on his walk and taken a detour around it but got stuck in undergrowth. The police said further calls to his mobile were not answered.

The search then started using police officers, a dog handler and the police helicopter as well as coastguard personnel and helicopters and volunteers from the Dartmoor Rescue Group.

It was called off at about 3am and began again this morning.