Man dies and two injured after attack by water buffalo in Wales

'The water buffalo has been destroyed', police say

Water buffalo, while not native to Wales, are used for the production of dairy products including buffalo mozzarella cheese (REUTERS)

A man has died and two people have been injured in Monmouthshire, Wales after being attacked by a water buffalo, police have confirmed.

Officers from Gwent police confirmed a 57-year-old was mortally wounded by the animal in the village of Gwehelog, while a 19-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman were injured. All three were local to the area.

The animal has since been "destroyed" the force added. While not native to Wales, the beasts of burden can be farmed to produce dairy products, including buffalo mozzarella.

A neighbour said the herd of water buffalo were a familiar sight on the farm and were often seen in the fields with the horses. They added the buffalo always appeared to be quite quiet, and that the owners had been seen stroking them.

In a statement a spokeserson from Gwent Police said: "We received a report of an incident at a commercial property in Gwehelog, Monmouthshire, at around 2.50pm on Tuesday May 5, after two men and a woman were attacked by a water buffalo.

"A 57-year-old man from the Gwehelog area was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics from Wales Ambulance Service.

"A 19-year-old man from the Gwehelog area sustained critical injuries during the incident. He has been taken to the University Hospital for Wales for treatment by the Welsh Air Ambulance.

"A 22-year-old woman from the Gwehelog area sustained a serious injury to her leg. Her injuries are not thought to be critical and she has been taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital for treatment by the Wales Ambulance Service.

"The water buffalo has been destroyed.

"Officers received assistance from the National Police Air Service (NPAS) at the scene."