An investigation is under way after an elderly farmer died while trying to free a trapped bull in Co Westmeath last night.
It is understood the 79-year-old farmer was attempting to remove a bull from a drain at Newtown, The Downs, Mullingar at about 9.40pm when he slipped and was trapped underwater by the animal.
Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene shortly after the man fell.
The man was pronounced dead at 11pm.
The incident is being treated as a tragic accident by gardaí, who said “there is no foul play suspected”.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) confirmed it is investigating the incident.
A HSA spokesman said investigators were sent to the scene this morning.
A postmortem examination is due to take place at the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore, Co Offaly today.