This is the first picture of a brave husband who sacrificed himself to protect his wife as they were attacked by a raging bull.
Tragic Roger Freeman, 63, was gored to death by the beast as he leapt in front of terrified wife Glenis, 67, who scrambled under a hedge.
Glenis, who is understood to have been barged to the ground by the animal, managed to flag down a passing motorist, who called an ambulance.
Roger was pronounced dead at the scene and Glenis was taken to hospital suffering from internal injuries.
The couple were walking on a public footpath through a livestock field in Standford-on-Soar, Notts., last Friday at 4.30pm, when the beast attacked them.
Glenis remains in a critical but stable condition at the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham.
Today neighbours of the couple, from Glen Parva, Leics., expressed shock at Roger’s death.
One said: ”They were a lovely, loving couple and it is an absolute tragedy what happened.
”I’ve heard from a family member that Roger is thought to have stood between the bull and Glenis.
”It sounds as if the bull charged at them and at the last minute Roger leapt in front of his wife to protect her.
”It was the most selfless act a man can do and everyone who knew Roger could well believe he would do that.”
Another said: ”Roger was an absolutely lovely, amazing man. They were so happy together.
”They were passionate walkers who relished new challenges. You could not have met a more lovely couple.
”Everybody who knew Roger and Glenis is totally shocked by this sad tragedy. Everybody is distraught.”
The Health and Safety Executive in now investigating the tragedy.
The family today said they were ”devastated” by Roger’s death.
In a statement released by the police, it said: ”Roger and Glenis’ sons, Roger’s mother, father and brother, and the rest of the family are absolutely devastated.
”Roger and Glenis were on a public footpath at the time of the incident and were always careful around livestock.
”We welcome the Health and Safety Executive investigation into the incident and hope for recommendations that prevent an incident like this occurring again.
”The family, without exception, would like to be left alone now to mourn the loss of Roger and give all possible support to the recovery of Glenis.”
After the attack, farmer Paul Waterfall captured the bull and locked it in a shed before having it put down.
Mr Waterfall, who ran the farm with his wife Julia, said he was ”deeply upset” by the attack.
He said: ”My family and I are deeply upset by what has happened.
”We are in shock and trying to come to terms with what I can only describe as a devastating and tragic incident.
”Our thoughts are with the couple’s family at this time.”
