Alfred Helge Hansen and Gaye Carole Hansen, two octogenarians, were found dead in a tragic incident involving a ram at their rural property. The event unfolded on Anzac Valley Road in Waitakere, a rural settlement west of Auckland, New Zealand.
The Hansen’s son discovered their bodies when he came to check on them after a few days of no contact. He was confronted by an aggressive ram at the property, which was later shot by the police who responded to the scene and felt threatened by its behavior.
According to initial police reports, a terrifying scenario led to the couple’s deaths. Alfred Hansen had ventured out to tend to the ram and failed to return. His wife Gaye, worried by his extended absence, went to look for him and also did not come back to their house.
The family’s spokesperson, their nephew Dean Burrell, shared the family’s deep shock and grief with the media. “They’re good people. They’re over 80. They don’t deserve this,” said Burrell. He further expressed his disbelief over the tragic incident, “I feel like I was dreaming it actually… being told what had happened and I just didn’t believe it.”
The Hansens, well-respected among their peers, were described by a neighbor to the NZ Herald as a “very quiet couple”, with Alfred Hansen praised for his lifelong dedication to farming. The neighbor stated, “He was a very good stockman,” reflecting the community’s high regard for the couple.
Currently, the police are classifying the deaths as unexplained and are working with the coroner in an in-depth investigation. A postmortem examination is planned to shed light on the circumstances surrounding their deaths. A strong police presence along with St John medics was observed at the property throughout Thursday.
Mark Vette, an animal behavior expert, spoke to Newshub about the behavior of rams and their potential threat. He explained that while such attacks are rare, rams can be unpredictable and powerful, leading to severe injuries or death.
This incident has shaken the local community and highlighted the risks involved in handling livestock. “It would be a very rare occasion for a ram to injure someone to that level, but where you can get knocked over and hurt is usually common,” Vette added. He cautioned that being cornered by a ram could be particularly dangerous, especially for those unable to make a quick escape.
As the investigation proceeds, the unexpected loss of the Hansens has emphasized the importance of caution when dealing with farm animals, even for experienced individuals like Alfred Hansen. The local farming community, along with the Hansen family and friends, are left to cope with this sudden and tragic loss.
