Walter Kerr

Fatal Accident

We regret to state that Mr. Walter Kerr, of Waimea West, lost his life on Friday last, in consequence of being attacked and gored by his own bull. It appears that he had been delivering a bullock to a neighbouring farmer, and took a three-year-old bull with him, which it had previously been found necessary to secure by a ring passed through his nose. When returning, and within thirty yards of his own house, the furious beast attacked Mr. Kerr, who, thinking to escape, threw himself on the ground. This did not, however, prevent the bull from continuing his assaults, till he gored Mr. Kerr in a frightful manner. Mrs. Kerr, who witnessed the attack made by the bull, ran out, and, in the most heroic manner, drove him off, and fastened him by the cord to a post. Her interference was too late to serve Mr. Kerr, who was so seriously hurt as to die in a few hours of the wounds inflicted by the savage beast.
Source: Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXIV, Issue 155, 26 December 1865, Page 2 [https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NENZC18651226.2.8

Fatal Accident to Mr. William Kerr, Waimea West — Tossed by a Bull

On Thursday last, while Mr. Walter Kerr was leading his bull away from some other cattle, it turned on him and threw him down, striking him in the stomach with its horns. Mrs. Kerr, who witnessed the accident, very courageously came to his assistance, and drove the animal away with a stick. After Mr. Kerr got up the brute attacked him a second time, and had to be again driven away by Mrs. Kerr. Though the wound did not penetrate the abdomen, yet Mr. Kerr's state appeared very critical, and he was intermediately attended by Doctors Laking and Oldham, and on the following day, he being much worse, Dr. Cusack was sent for. Mr. Kerr's medical attendants were of opinion that some of the intestines were ruptured or bruised, and had no hope of his recovery. He did not suffer very much,and retained his faculties to the last, and was at his own request visited by the Bishop shortly before his death, which took place on Saturday last. Precautions have been taken to prevent the bull, which had previously been a very quiet animal, from doing any further mischief.
Source: Colonist, Volume IX, Issue 851, 26 December 1865, Page 2 [https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TC18651226.2.14].