Blacko glamping site re-opens nearly a year after cow attack on owner

Sharon Eley, who owns Valley View glamping site in Blacko, is opening the business back up to guests after closing last year following a cow attack, during which she ‘thought she was going to die’.

Last May, Sharon was walking her dog with a friend when they came across a herd of cows with calves in a field.

They walked around the edge of the field, keeping their dogs close in a bid to not scare the animals however they all came charging towards the pair.

Sharon Eley has been recovering from her injuries for 10 months. (Image: Submitted)

Sharon said: “There were 20 to 25 of them, they were about an arm and a half away. One of them just went, charged at me and flung me up in the air.

“The next thing I knew I was on my hands and knees and all I could see were hooves after hooves after hooves.

“I thought ‘this is dangerous, oh my god’.

“I had a handbag like a back pack and I think that saved my life.

“I managed to stand up and they were circled around me.

“I thought ‘how do I get out of this’ and they pushed me back down.

“I thought ‘this is going to be game over, I am not going to get out of this’.”

Sharon Eley has been recovering from her injuries for 10 months. (Image: Submitted)

The majority of the cows were distracted by another couple who entered the field and just one animal stayed near Sharon.

She managed to escape the cow and dragged herself over a brick wall, but said she knew something was ‘seriously wrong with her’.

She was rushed to hospital by air ambulance where they found she had suffered 15 broken ribs, a broken clavicle where she had been strangled by her bag, and a shattered and dislocated ankle.

She needed immediate surgery on her foot and is only just starting to walk again.

Sharon also has a permanent reminder of the horrifying incident due to a scar around her neck from where she was strangled by her bag.

Sharon Eley has been recovering from her injuries for 10 months. (Image: Submitted)

Sharon added: “I am just coming out the other side now. My ribs have finally stopped hurting, I am just having a few problems with my shoulders.

“I am still in recovery but I have my sister to help me run the business so thought it was an ideal time to open back up now.

After a month-long stay in hospital, Sharon stayed in one of her pods for several months as it meant she did not need to climb any stairs.

The re-opening also coincides with the broadcast of Four in a Bed, which will feature Sharon and the Valley View glamping site.

One of the pods at Valley Views glamping site (Image: Submitted)

The series was filmed in March last year and Sharon said that she and her sister Debra Spencer enjoyed their time on the show.

The Channel 4 show sees B&B owners throw open their doors and take turns to stay with each other, as they compete to be crowned best hosts.

She said: “Everyone was really nice but their places were completely different to ours.

“The experience was fantastic – I would recommend anyone to do it.

“You get to see other places and ideas but you mostly get to see how well you are doing with running a business like this.”

The Valley View glamping site episode is expected to be screen during the week commencing March 27.