Safework SA inspectors at Strath Pastoral, where a man was injured unloading a buffalo from a truck. Pic: Tricia Watkinson

The devoted father of four, grandfather of 10, and great-grandfather of two was an expert stock handler who worked with livestock for more than 40 years.

PROUD FAMILY: Allan Carter, left, with grandson Chris, great-grandson Cohen and son Brenton. Picture: SUPPLIED BY FAMILYSource:Supplied

Described by his son Brenton as the “rock of the family”, Mr Carter, 72, expected to work forever.

But, tragically, he was fatally injured on Thursday when a water buffalo crushed and gored him at the unloading dock of Strath Pastoral — an abattoir 2km west of Strathalbyn.

Mr Carter had taken five buffaloes from a farm at Mypolonga, near Murray Bridge, for slaughter when the incident happened just after 6pm.

Friends close to the family told The Advertiser that, while unloading young steers and an older milking buffalo, one turned and crushed Mr Carter.

The animal also gored Mr Carter under the arm, severing an artery, the friend said.

Mr Carter was rushed to Strathalbyn District Hospital before being flown to Flinders Medical Centre, where he died later that night.

His death has devastated four generations of his family, including his three sons, daughter and grandkids, some of whom were yesterday stoically carrying on business at their dad’s and “pops’’’ property at Sunnyside, east of Murray Bridge.

DEVASTATED: Family members speak after the death of Allan Carter. Picture: 7 NEWSSource:Supplied

Mr Carter’s son Brenton Carter, who jointly controlled A M Carter Livestock Transport Services, said whenever things went wrong, his father would always say “nothing much we can do about it now”.

Brenton said he would continue living by his father’s words.

“There’s no one to blame, it’s just bad luck,’’ Brenton said.

“It’s just bad luck. Wrong time, wrong place.”

“We know the dangers of carrying stock, he did it for 40-plus years. There’s nothing we can do about it now.”

Chris Carter, 22, one of two grandsons, said his family was struggling to cope with the tragedy but Mr Carter would want them to push on.

“He’d always say that, ‘there’s not much we can do about it’ and he’s right,’’ Chris said. “We’ve just got to keep going like he always did.

A file picture of a buffalo similar to the one that killed Allan Carter.Source:Supplied

“My dad (Brenton) is wrecked, my uncle, my aunty, I haven’t even seen my other uncle. Pops was very well-known around the place and he will be sadly missed.’’

Kyle Smith, who married into the Carter family, said “pops” was a “man’s man’’ of few words who was “the soul’’ of the family.

“He was the soul of the family and held us all together. But if you were doing something stupid, he would let you know.’’

It is the second tragedy to hit the family, who lost a child in a house fire three years ago.

It is believed Mr Carter was in the back of a truck containing the buffaloes, which management said was not normal procedure.

Workers at the Strath Pastoral abattoir at Strathalbyn, where a man was injured by a buffalo. Pic: Tricia WatkinsonSource:News Corp Australia

Camera footage that has been handed to SafeWork SA captured the incident. It showed the other truck driver trying to help as the buffalo repeatedly struck Mr Carter.

SafeWork SA is investigating the circumstances of the death and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Widely known and respected in the district, Mr Carter had previously handled the Italian/Riverine cross buffaloes from Cory Jones’ Mypolonga farm without problems.

Mr Jones, who owned the buffalo and milks others, said Mr Carter was “a nice old bloke who always helped out”.

He said the Italian/Riverine cross Buffalos were a placid animal and a “freak accident” had caused the death.

Safework SA inspectors at Strath Pastoral, Allan Carter was fatally injured unloading a buffalo from a truck. Pic: Tricia WatkinsonSource:News Corp Australia

“I handle these animals every day — milk them twice a day — and I never feel in danger,” he said. “I don’t know what happened but maybe one’s turned to, obviously, protect itself and got him.

“A beef cow could do that and it probably wouldn’t be such a big story. There’s always a risk (handling stock) but this is just a freak accident.”

Mr Jones said he had personally given his sympathy to Mr Carter’s family.

Abattoir worker Wayne Sims said all workers had been informed of the incident.

“Obviously buffaloes are a feral animal ... I don’t think they are temperamental but a tonne weight pushing up against you, you have to be very careful,” he said.

“It’s a sad incident that has happened. Thoughts to his family and friends.”

Strath Pastoral said in a statement: “Strath Pastoral is deeply saddened to learn of a freak accident involving an external stock delivery handler who was attacked by one of his stock, a dairy buffalo, during unloading in his truck.”

Police and SafeworkSA inspectors investigating the incident at Strath Pastoral. Picture: Tricia WatkinsonSource:News Corp Australia

“The company’s thoughts are with the family of the man involved. Strath Pastoral adheres to very stringent workplace safety procedures and will be working closely with SafeWork SA in coming days to assist with any investigation,” the statement said.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals campaign co-ordinator Claire Fryer said animals arriving at a slaughterhouse could sense terror and pain.

“It’s natural for them to do what they can to avoid being hung upside down and having their throats slit,” she said.