Hauler trampled by cow being loaded onto trailer
SHELDON — A Wyoming County man is recovering from injuries he suffered when a cow he was trying to load into a trailer trampled him, according to a fire official.
Anthony Michalek, of Bennington, owns a private cattle-hauling business and was loading eight cows owned by Mark Keem of Sheldon onto his trailer at about 9:30 a. m. Saturday, said Keem, who also is chief of the Harris Corners Fire Department. The cows were being taken to an upcoming cattle auction.
As Michalek was loading the last six cows onto the trailer, they balked and began pushing backward off the vehicle. Michalek was trapped in the crush of cattle, and one cow pushed him through a fence before walking over him, Keem said.
Crews from the Harris Corners and Strykersville fire departments responded. The victim, whose age wasn’t known, was taken by Mercy Flight to Erie County Medical Center, Buffalo.
Keem talked to Michalek Saturday afternoon, after he was released from ECMC, and again Sunday. He suffered four fractured ribs and a bruised liver, but is otherwise OK, Keem said.
