Alfred Helge Hansen and Gaye Carole Hansen, a couple in their early eighties, were tragically found dead early Thursday morning at their rural property, after an apparent attack by a ram. The incident occurred in a paddock on Anzac Valley Road in Waitakere, a rural area west of Auckland, New Zealand.
The Hansens were discovered by their son, who had come to check on them after not hearing from them for a few days. Upon his arrival, he encountered a hostile ram, which subsequently was killed by responding police officers who felt threatened by its aggressive behavior.
Details surrounding the events leading to the Hansens’ deaths suggest a harrowing scene. Initial police reports indicate that Mr. Hansen had gone out to tend to the ram but never returned. His wife, concerned about her husband’s prolonged absence, went out to check on him and also never returned to their home.
Family spokesman and nephew, Dean Burrell, expressed the family’s profound shock and sorrow in comments to the media: “They’re good people. They’re over 80. They don’t deserve this,” Burrell said. He elaborated on the surreal nature of the tragedy, “I feel like I was dreaming it actually… being told what had happened and I just didn’t believe it.”
The Hansens were well-regarded in their community, with a neighbor describing them to the NZ Herald as a “very quiet couple” and praising Mr. Hansen’s lifelong commitment to farming. “He was a very good stockman,” said the neighbor, reflecting on the high regard in which the couple was held.
Police are treating the deaths as unexplained at this time, conducting a thorough investigation in conjunction with the coroner. A postmortem examination is scheduled to clarify the circumstances surrounding the couple’s deaths, with a significant police presence and St John medics noted at the property throughout Thursday.
Animal behavior expert Mark Vette spoke to Newshub about the typical behavior of rams and their potential danger. “Most people who have farmed at some stage would have had a ram that you’ve got to be careful of. If you turn your back on them, they’ll have a bit of a crack at you at times,” Vette explained, emphasizing that while such attacks are rare, the power and unpredictability of rams can lead to serious injuries or even death.
The incident has rattled the local community, drawing attention to the risks associated with handling livestock. “It would be a very rare occasion for a ram to injure someone to that level, but where you can get knocked over and hurt is usually common,” Vette added, noting that being cornered by a ram could pose a significant danger, especially to those not physically capable of escaping swiftly.
As the investigation continues, the tragic loss of the Hansens has underscored the need for heightened awareness and caution when interacting with farm animals, even for those with extensive experience like Mr. Hansen. The local farming community and the Hansens’ family and friends are left to mourn and reflect on the sudden and unexpected nature of the loss.