Midwife horrifically injured after she was stamped, thrown and SAT on by a herd of cows while walking her dog Emma Smith was attacked while walking her dog in St Martin on the Lizard A herd of cows knocked her to the ground and repeatedly sat on her It is thought that the cows were trying to protect their calves Has warned others of the dangers posed by cows when walking your dog Tragic: Emma Smith was walking with her dog Bell in a field when she was knocked to the ground and repeatedly sat on by cows A midwife was horrifically injured after she was stamped, thrown and sat on by a herd of cows who were protecting their calves. Emma Smith, 38, suffered serious chest wounds and crushed ribs after she was attacked by a group rampaging bovines. Miss Smith was walking with her dog Bell in a field near her parents" home at St Martin on the Lizard, Cornwall, when she was knocked to the ground and repeatedly sat on by cows, breaking her ribs and puncturing her lungs. Covered in blood from cuts to her face and with both wrists broken, she dragged herself across the field, while the cows continued to fall on her. She managed to crawl under an electric fence to escape the crazed heifers and was airlifted to hospital where she is still recovering a month after the ordeal on June 18. Speaking from her hospital bed today, she warned the public to stay away from cows. Medics say Miss Smith will take at least a year to recover and may never work again. She said: 'I've never seen cows act like that before - this must never happen to anyone else again.' It is thought the cows, which have now been moved, were protecting their calves. Emma had moved to Cornwall from Shrewsbury the previous weekend to start a job as a midwife at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro. On June 18 she took dog Bell for a walk on a short lead using a familiar route near her parent's home. She began to cross a field of cattle on a public right of way - but soon found herself surrounded by a mob. Her mother Susan Moody said: 'Emma assessed the situation and said the cows looked up but took no notice of her or her dog. Shocking: The young midwife managed to crawl across the field in between bouts of unconsciousness She was just over halfway across the field when a cow started to run towards her, followed by many others. 'The cows weren't going to stop. One charged from behind and she was tossed in the air. She managed to get up after this but she was charged yet again, from the front this time. After she regained consciousness, she became aware different cows were dropping themselves on top of her - presumably with the intention of crushing her. She managed to crawl away between episodes of unconsciousness. Critically injured the midwife managed to stagger along a path to a neighbour's farm where she collapsed. A Navy search and rescue helicopter from nearby RNAS Culdrose was dispatched to airlift her to hospital in Bristol, where she faces extensive surgery. Unexpected: Miss Smith has warned of the dangers of cows especially when they are protecting their calves Mrs Moody says the law should be changed to keep cattle with calves out of fields with public access and require signs to warn of the danger. She said of her daughter: 'Her life is on hold for a year at least, we've been told. She's sustained life-changing injuries. Emma is a very experienced, dedicated midwife and hopes to return to her job eventually if her health permits. 'If only there had been a warning sign that cows with calves could be dangerous, then Emma wouldn't have entered the field. 'These recommendations should become law to ensure no other family has to go through what we've had to contend with.' Mrs Moody said that the family wanted to pay tribute to the work of the 771 squadron search and rescue crew members from RNAS Culdrose, who airlifted Emma to Truro~s Royal Cornwall Hospital. New job: Miss Smith: had moved to Cornwall from Shrewsbury the previous weekend to start a job as a midwife at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro Although the family has already thanked the crew in person, Mrs Moody said that having the larger Sea King helicopter meant that she was able to fly to hospital alongside her daughter, together with an extra paramedic, which made a big difference. 'It's worth stating how helpful it was having the Sea King helicopter so close to St Martin. 'We are eternally grateful for the speed she was taken to hospital and treated ~ it was second to none,' she added. The issue was raised at a meeting of St Keverne Parish Council by Cornwall Councillor Walter Sanger. Mr Sanger stressed that the farmer had adhered to all the regulations and warned: 'People, although they can be legally on the public footpath, have to be aware and be cautious where there are cattle and especially cattle with calves.' This was particularly true when a person had a dog with them. 'If in doubt, chicken out,' he added. Councillor Bill Frisken said cattle did not like dogs but had found they could rid of them by driving the owners away. Councillor Derek Kevern, a farmer all his life, agreed: 'It is best to leave your dog off the lead rather than on the lead, because they'll go for you too - and the dog will find you.'