A Brazilian man has died after being crushed to death by a cow which fell through the roof of his home.

Joao Maria de Souza, 45, was asleep in bed next to his wife Leni at the home in Caratinga, southeast Brazil. A cow had escaped from a nearby farm and clambered onto the corrugated roof of the couple’s home, which sits on a steep hill.

The weight of the animal – which was estimated to be around one and a half tonnes – caused the roof to collapse and the cow fell eight feet onto the bed, crushing Mr de Souza.

He was taken to hospital suffering from a fractured leg, but had no other obvious injuries, and was said to be communicating normally. However, he later died from internal bleeding whilst waiting to be seen by doctors.

Maria de Souza, the victim’s mother, told Brazil’s SuperCanal TV channel: “I didn’t bring my son up to be killed by a falling cow.”

Police in Caratinga, Minas Gerais state, have confirmed that they have now launched an investigation into the death, and stated that the owner of the cow could be charged with involuntary manslaughter.