'Cow kick' Whalley farmer (45) dies

Mourners packed Whalley Methodist Church for the funeral service of John Peter Wearden, of Shaw House Farm, Clitheroe.

John suffered severe internal injuries to his liver and spleen after he was kicked in the stomach by a cow more than a year ago.

He remained in the acute surgical ward at Royal Blackburn Hospital for one year and one day for his injuries.

The incident happened while John was in a pen with cows on the farm, run by the Wearden family for 25 years.

He was rushed to hospital and underwent major abdominal surgery followed by a spell in the Intensive Care Unit. Last May, he was transferred to Clitheroe Community Hospital, but was transferred back to the Royal Blackburn Hospital when his condition deteriorated. He also contracted hospital superbug MRSA.

John, who worked on the farm with his father, Jack (68), brother Jeff and nephew Mark, put his artistic skills to good use during his stay in hospital and created a number of colourful pictures, which adorned the walls of his room.

>> Your can leave a tribute to John; pass on sympathy to his family or light a candle in his memory here

Jack said that while John was in hospital he was very well-liked and popular. Paying tribute to his trustworthy and caring son, he said: "Everyone loved him to bits. Despite his injuries, he never gave up and never complained.

"He came home for two hours just before Christmas and loved every minute of it. He was a very hard-working and caring son. He liked to help on the farm and was 100% trustworthy. John will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure to know him."

His sentiments were echoed by Carol Hancock, auxiliary nurse in Ward C18, who cared for John throughout much of his time in the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

She said: "John spent almost a year here on C18 with us, and in that time we all became very fond of both him and his father, who visited every night without fail.

"John had very serious injuries, but he never complained or moaned at all. He was full of fun, very mischievous and liked to give us a good laugh. We'll miss him on the ward and we'd like again to pass on our sympathies to his family."