Driver's shock as cow dies in New Forest hit-and-run

Gary Burnett, 52, was on his way home at around 8.30pm on Thursday after work when he rushed to the rescue of the brown bovine.

He said the animal seemed to have been hit by a vehicle on Roger Penny Way near the crossroads with Forest Road.

READ MORE: Cow spotted roaming through Totton streets

According to the 52-year-old hotel manager, the cow was lying on the left-hand side of the road and was still alive when he came to its rescue.

It seemed to have an injured leg, with remnants of red car paint on its leg and quickly drivers stopped to help the animal, according to the driver.

Gary Burnett, 52 (Image: Provided)

Gary told the Echo: "It was alive at first and it had its tongue out. I thought it was resting but then it had its eyes open and was trying to get up.

"Other people stopped by to help including this elderly lady and then another vet.

"The vet said it may have bloat but we started realising that it must have been run over."

A number of worried drivers stopped to help but it was too late for the animal.

Gary said: "The vet was on the phone to the police when we noticed the cow had blood coming out of its mouth and died there and then.

"It was just awful to see that, especially after a day of work you really didn't want to see that.

"I drive on that road quite often and I know that deer are a real issue when it comes to pulling out in front of the car but cows, horses and donkeys often are quite slow and won't just run across the road."

The drivers moved the dead animal to the side of the road and were told by officers they could leave.

However, Gary, who described himself as a "dog lover" said the ordeal really impacted him.

He said: "It was just awful that this could have happened. That you would run a cow over and then wouldn't stop to try to help the animal. How could someone do this?

"I saw its face, it was a lovely cow. One moment it's going about its business and the next thing you know it gets hit by a car."

Anyone with information on this is asked to contact police quoting the reference 44240371502.