A vet who was hospitalised after a freak accident where a cow kicked a metal gate into his face is making good progress in his recovery.

Jereme Darke, 45, who is well known across Martock, Crewkerne and Chard, was blood testing beef cattle at a farm in Donyatt when the freak accident occurred at 3.10pm on Monday, January 9.

One of the animals kicked the gate which swung and struck him.

Mr Darke, a director of Synergy Farm Health Veterinary Services based in Evershot, fell backwards and hit his head on concrete, resulting in a fractured skull, a brain haemorrhage and severe facial injuries, according to his colleagues.

Synergy Farm posts daily updates on its website to let everyone know how Mr Darke is getting on.

A posting on Friday, January 20, said: “Jereme has made great progress today. He had his eyes open when friends and family arrived this morning and has definitely been communicating with people.

“He has managed to smile and is beginning to make proper movements. He recognised the people around him and although speech is difficult due to his tracheotomy he is making every attempt to communicate.”

A more recent posting on Monday, January 23, said: “One of Jereme’s colleagues, has visited Jereme today. He reports that Jereme definitely recognised him and was able to give him a wink as well patting him on the back. His breathing is very much improved from before the weekend and they have stopped the antibiotics for the chest infection. The doctors will move him to the High Dependency Unit when his breathing is stable.”

Mr Darke is joint Master of the Seavington Hunt and secretary of the Crewkerne Farmers’ Skittle League. He joined Kingfisher Veterinary Practice, which has bases in Crewkerne, Chard and Martock, immediately after graduating from the Royal Veterinary College, London, in 1990.