A 76-year-old Iowa farmer died Sunday, January 19, after being attacked by a bull while checking on his cattle’s water supply during below-zero temperatures in Madison County, authorities said.
Mark Hollingsworth was found unresponsive in the cattle feeding area of his property at the 2400 block of Millstream Avenue, southeast of Winterset, Iowa. Family members discovered him severely injured and called emergency services at approximately 7:30 p.m., according to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies and emergency medical responders found Hollingsworth in critical condition in the cattle feeding area. Despite immediate life-saving measures by first responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office report.
“An investigation into the incident shows that Hollingsworth had entered the bull pin of his farm to ensure the cattle’s water source hadn’t frozen up,” deputies said. “It was then that a bull injured Hollingsworth.”
The brutal winter conditions created hazardous conditions for outdoor activities, with temperatures dropping below zero degrees Fahrenheit. The severe wind chill made the temperature even colder, creating dangerous situations for humans and livestock. These extreme conditions necessitated Hollingsworth’s check on his cattle’s water access, as livestock require consistent access to unfrozen water sources during winter to maintain health and survival.
The National Weather Service had warned about the dangerous combination of sub-zero temperatures and wind chill effects, making routine farm maintenance tasks like checking water sources especially hazardous.
The State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny is conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Hollingsworth’s death. Officials are examining whether a pre-existing medical condition may have left Hollingsworth incapacitated before the bull attack. The investigation includes a complete autopsy to determine the exact cause and circumstances of death.
The National Agricultural Safety Database (NASD) notes that bulls are among the most dangerous farm animals, with dairy bulls being particularly hazardous due to their handling from a young age. NASD guidelines emphasize the importance of maintaining constant awareness of bull location and behavior, as even previously docile bulls can become aggressive without warning.
Winterset, the county seat of Madison County, Iowa, is a small city with a population of 5,353 as of the 2020 census. Located approximately 30 miles southwest of Des Moines, Winterset lies at the intersection of U.S. Route 169 and Iowa State Highway 92, with the Middle River flowing past its southern edge.
The city, part of the Des Moines metropolitan area, is a central hub for the surrounding agricultural region, known for its robust livestock operations and farmland.
The sheriff’s office has not released information about what happened to the bull following the incident or any history of previous aggressive behavior.