A farmer found dead after apparently being crushed by one of his own bulls had survived an attack just days earlier, the Keighley News can reveal.

The body of David Mytum was discovered in a field at Hardnaze Farm, Oxenhope, early on Tuesday evening.

Now it has emerged that on Sunday afternoon Mr Mytum -- who was married with two daughters -- had been taken by ambulance to Airedale Hospital following an attack by an animal at his farm.

A hospital spokesman confirmed that the 55-year-old was admitted to the accident and emergency department, and was discharged the same day.

The body of Mr Mytum, a lecturer at Keighley College, was found by a friend who had called at the farm, in Hebden Bridge Road, to see him.

Police and the Health and Safety Executive have launched an investigation, and the bull was shot by a marksman.

Mr Mytum, whose wife Susan is a teacher in Keighley, is understood to have kept a small herd of short horn rare breed cattle and a flock of sheep.

Neighbour Ronald Pepper, of Windle House Farm, Oxenhope, said the local farming community was shocked by the incident.

"David was a nice, jolly fellow," he said. "He had lived at the farm many years and kept a rare breed of short horn cattle and sheep."

Mr Mytum was a member of the National Farmers Union and traded at local auction markets, including Skipton and Otley.

Tim Palmer, the National Farmers' Union local representative, said: "His loss is one to the farming community and to the staff at Keighley College."

Mr Mytum's colleagues at Keighley College were this week coming to terms with the tragedy.

Alison Griffin, the college's marketing manager, said: "He taught trades to teenagers who had become disaffected by school.

"He did a fabulous job. His death is a big shock to us all."

Mr Mytum had worked at the college since September 1997 in the technology faculty, mainly with pupils referred from schools in Keighley and Bradford.

He had previously worked at a special school in Bradford and for Bradford Education in the pupil services department, where he looked after excluded pupils.

Det Insp Shaun Berry, of Keighley police, said Mr Mytum had suffered extensive injuries and that initial inquiries indicated they had been caused by a bull.

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said: "We are going to conduct our investigation into this incident and we will be looking at everything we can find to establish the circumstances. Our report will go to the coroner."

An inquest will be held at a later date.

Mr Mytum will be laid to rest next Friday, when the coffin will be transported by a tractor and hay cart from the Waggon and Horses pub, in Hebden Bridge Road, to Oxenhope cemetery, where there will be a graveside service at 11.30am.

Mourners should assemble at the Waggon and Horses at 11am, to set off at 11.15am to walk to the cemetery.