Pair sustained critical injuries in the attack, which took place on their property at Moyhu, near Wangaratta

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

A man has been killed by a pet deer in north-east Victoria and a woman has been seriously injured.

The couple were named as Mandi and Paul McDonald.

Paramedics were called to a property at Moyhu, near Wangaratta, just before 8.30am.

Police said it was believed the couple had been attacked by a pet deer on their property. Both suffered critical injuries and the man died a short time later.

The wife has been airlifted to a hospital in Melbourne with life-threatening injuries and remains in a critical condition.

“What we do know is that they’ve had the deer for two years,” Acting Senior Sergeant Paul Pursell told reporters in Wangaratta.

Pursell said the family and community were in shock.

“The family is just devastated. It’s beyond words how they’ve been affected by this incident today,” he said.

Ambulance Victoria said the woman had been treated for upper body and leg injuries and had been flown to the Alfred hospital in a serious condition.

Police euthanised the deer because of concerns for the paramedic’s safety on scene.

Officers will prepare a report for the coroner.