The son of a Wigan man, ruled to have been trampled to death by cattle 21 years ago, wants the case reopening

A Wigan man is demanding that police re-open the investigation into his father’s death in a farmer’s field, believing he may have been the victim of foul play rather than an attack by cattle.

More than 21 years have passed since the body of 65-year-old Bernard Hanrahan was found on land off Bryn Gates Lane, Bamfurlong.

A police inquiry and inquest concluded that he had been trampled to death by cattle as the retired builder walked his dogs.

And certainly the pathology report showed injuries caused by hooves.

But the victim’s youngest son, also called Bernard, says that serious questions remain unanswered and feels that proper procedures were not followed by officers at the time.

The 59-year-old’s concerns particularly revolve around how his eccentrically-dressed father had faced harassment and bullying by two men on quad bikes as he went for walks in the weeks before his death.

And just seven days before tragedy struck Bernard Snr, out of the blue, told him: “They’re going to get me.”

He did not specify who “they” were and his son didn’t pursue the line of thought, assuming he was talking about the quad bikers, and only replied “not while I’m alive” before changing the conversation.

Mr Hanrahan Jnr has made a Freedom of Information request to Greater Manchester Police for full details from the investigation which was launched following the discovery of the body by farmhands at 7pm on Thursday, July 7 2005, his personal alarm beeping next to him.

He was told at the time that two men had been arrested on suspicion of attacking his dad, but were later released without further action.

Mr Hanrahan said: “There are things about my dad’s death that just do not fit right.

“He had injuries to his head which didn’t look like they were caused by hooves. He was supposed to have been running away when he was trampled but when he was found his glasses were inside his hat and his trousers, which were usually tied around the waist with string, were round his ankles. How could he have run like that?

“The more I think about what he said to me the week before he died about them being out to get him, the more it worries me. These guys on quad bikes had been harassing him.

“It should be looked into whether he was hit by one or more of these bikes and then the cattle were deliberately herded over him to cover up the initial injuries.”

He added: “My dad never did anybody any harm.

“People would see him around in his green parka with the badges on his arm. He would have a few drinks and then maybe take the dogs for a walk. He liked his own company.”

Mr Hanrahan said that the police did not appoint a family liaison officer and did not keep relatives, including his two older brothers, in the loop as far as investigations were concerned.

Greater Manchester Police has been contacted for a comment.