8-year-old Massachusetts boy trampled to death by cow

GEORGETOWN, Mass. — A family is grieving the loss of an 8-year-old child who died of injuries sustained when he was trampled by a cow Saturday.

The Essex District Attorney’s Office told WCVB 5 Boston that police went to 58 Jewett St. regarding an injured child at 12:45 p.m. Saturday.

The boy, identified as George Carter, was injured when trampled by a cow and was taken to Anna Jacques Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

“You are not supposed to bury an 8-year-old,” Peter Carter, the boy’s father, said in tears. “It was just very quick.”

Carter said they were exercising some of the cows when a pregnant female cow got spooked and trampled the boy. “She came flying by me with him tangled up in the rope and by the time I caught up with him, he was gone,” Carter said. He still doesn’t know what spooked the cow.

Carter owns 24 cows, which he raises for beef. Investigators said the cows have passed all routine inspections. He said as soon as George could walk, he was with the animals. “The biggest thing I would like to do is turn the clock back,” Carter said.

State police are assisting in the investigation. Foul play is not suspected.