Police officers who took on water buffalo who killed two people nominated for bravery awards

  • Wales
Water buffalo Credit: The Bufalina Soap Company

Two Gwent police offers who responded to calls of an attack by a water buffalo have been nominated for an award for their bravery.

Ralph Jump and his son Peter died after being attacked at a farm in Monmouthshire in May 2020. Mr Jump was dragged down the field by the bull, named Yolo, before Peter tried to save him. Ralph's daughter, Isabel, was also attacked but survived the incident.

PC Mark Burbidge and PC Owain Smallwood arrived at the farm and confronted the buffalo which was charging at Isabel and her mother Josephine.

PC Burbidge ran into the field and picked up poles to distract and strike the buffalo, which allowed Isabel to crawl out of the way.

The Police Federation say the pair were "fearless" in the face of the attack.

"The officers formed a protective line between themselves and the buffalo to allow the Welsh Ambulance Service to treat the victims. Their actions allowed the safe landing of HeliMed to recover the men."

C Mark Burbidge and PC Owain Smallwood responded to calls that two people had been attacked by a water buffalo in the Monmouth area. Credit: Police Federation

In June 2021 , an inquest heard how Jump was pronounced dead at the scene at the farm in Gwehelog, and was later found to have suffered multiple injuries to his chest, including smaller puncture wounds.

Peter was airlifted taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, but died later that evening.

  • Rural Affairs Correspondent Hannah Thomas reports from the inquest

Mr Jump rented the idyllic country farm near Usk, Gwent, to start a sustainable buffalo soap business where he hand-reared the buffalo.

Ralph Jump, 57, and his son Peter, 19, suffered fatal injuries.

Three more police officers from Wales have also been nominated for the Police Bravery Awards, which take place on 9 December 2021.

The Police Federation give out the awards to celebrate the bravery and dedication of officers across England and Wales.

PC Josh Stocker from North Wales Police has been nominated for entering a burning building to pull an elderly woman out who was trapped inside.

Whilst PC Brian Cooper and PC Ryan Morgan from South Wales Police have been put forward for an award after they responded to reports of a suicidal man who had locked himself in a bathroom at his home.

This year, 81 nominees from 40 forces have been put forward.