Get your news delivered straight to you by 7am - sign up to our new Morning Mail newsletter for FREE See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy WILL HALLOWELL, NEWS REPORTER Published: 12:15 BST, 14 August 2026 | Updated: 14:04 BST, 14 August 2026
A pensioner died of severe chest injuries after being 'trampled by cattle' at a National Trust estate, an inquest has been told. John Orton, 78, was killed after being injured by animals at Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk on July 13. An inquest into his death was opened at Norfolk Coroner's Court on Friday. It heard that Mr Orton was a retired telecommunications engineer. Maeve Sykes, assistant coroner for Norfolk, said a provisional cause of death of 'severe chest injuries due to having been trampled by cattle' had been given following a post-mortem examination. Police said they had been called to the Felbrigg Hall estate at around 11.45am that day and Mr Orton died at the scene.The hall, with parts that date from Tudor times, was bequeathed to the National Trust in 1969. It closed briefly after Mr Orton's death.The inquest into Mr Orton's death has been adjourned until next year. A Health and Safety Executive spokesman said: 'We are now leading the investigation into the death of John Orton. A pensioner was killed by cattle at Felbrigg Hall (pictured), near Cromer in Norfolk 'Our thoughts remain with his friends and family at this difficult time.'Norfolk Police said at the time of his death: 'Despite efforts to save him, a man in his 70s sadly died at the scene. 'His next of kin have been informed. Officers are investigating alongside colleagues from the Health and Safety Executive.'A National Trust spokesman said: 'Emergency services were called to the parkland at Felbrigg Hall on Monday 13th July after a member of the public was seriously injured while walking.'Despite the efforts of the paramedics, the person tragically died at the scene.'We are shocked and deeply saddened by this news, and our thoughts and condolences are with their family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.'Mr Orton's death is not the first death to occur on the Norfolk estate.In 2007 an 11-year-old boy was killed when a branch fell on him during a school trip to the stately home.Daniel Mullinger, from Colchester, Essex, died when the 70ft timber crashed down from a 180-year-old beech tree in the Great Wood at Felbrigg.
