• British woman miraculously survives cow attack
• Emergency tracking device helped save her quickly

A British woman said she considers herself lucky to have survived being trampled by cows while hiking in highlands.

Mary-Jane Barker, 61, from Peebles, an experienced hill walker, had planned to climb three of the Munro mountains near Newtonmore last August.

Within minutes, she was trampled by a herd of cows, leaving her fearing for her life.

However, she had activated an emergency tracking device and was airlifted to a hospital for surgery by the Scottish charity air ambulance.

She said: "It’s miraculous that I survived."

She added: "I’m always very cautious and respectful of cows on open land and keep my distance, but this herd was hidden behind a steep hill and I didn’t see them until I went over the top and found myself just a few feet away."

In seconds, the cows surrounded Mary-Jane and began approaching her.

She said: "One of them lowered its head and started pawing the ground. I felt terrified and couldn’t escape."

She continued: "My little dog Lola panicked, slipped from her lead, and ran away as the cows charged. I was caught between two of the cows, lifted off my feet, and carried along their path."

She was trampled on the ground, but her backpack strap got caught on one of the cow’s legs and dragged her along.

She said: "In that moment, I was thrown into the air and then fell to the ground again."

Although the attack lasted only a few minutes, she suffered serious injuries.

She said: "I saw a huge gash on my left leg – torn from knee to ankle, with muscles exposed."

She added: "The cows didn’t move – I was afraid they would trample or attack me again, so I decided to play dead and stay still, hoping they would move away without hurting me further."

Mary-Jane remained in that position for about 45 minutes until the tracking device she had activated responded.

The first sounds she heard were some walkers who had scared off the cows and rushed to help her, reassuring her that she and her dog were safe.

Minutes later, police and paramedics arrived and transferred her to an ambulance.

Mary-Jane was airlifted to the hospital, where she underwent X-rays, examinations, and surgery.

She had suffered ten broken ribs, a fractured sternum, a broken right hand, a blood clot in the chest wall, bruising to both lungs, severe leg injuries, and multiple bruises on her head, face, and body.

After ten days and multiple surgeries, including skin grafts, Mary-Jane was allowed to return home to Peebles, where her recovery continues.