Cattle Rancher Airlifted to Hospital After Branding Accident

A Cuyama Valley cattle rancher was airlifted to the hospital with moderate injuries after a cow charged and pinned him against a corral during a branding operation this morning.

The 65-year-old man working at the North Fork ranch suffered moderate injuries to his chest and upper body and reported difficulty breathing.

An emergency call was placed at 10:14 a.m. and responders decided that, due to the severity of the man’s injuries and the relative remoteness of the location, he should be rushed to the hospital by helicopter rather than ambulance.

Authorities said the rancher was trying to wrangle a group of cattle to brand them when one broke loose. When the man tried to herd the stray cow back, it charged.