A 57-year-old man has died and two people have been injured after being attacked by a water buffalo in Monmouthshire in south-east Wales, police have said. The man was pronounced dead at the scene on a farm near the town of Usk, while a 19-year-old man was taken to hospital with critical injuries and a 22-year-old woman sustained a serious leg wound. The buffalo was put down. Neighbours expressed shock at the tragedy, which happened at about 2.50pm on Tuesday when the animal went on the rampage. Police did not spell out exactly where the incident took place but one farm in the area keeps a herd of Mediterranean water buffalo to make soap. There was no answer from the farm on Tuesday night. A neighbouring farmer said he had been told that the buffalo went on the rampage. He said: “The first I knew of it was when I saw the police helicopter and the air ambulance buzzing around. Some people do try to diversify and keep water buffalo, usually for their milk,” he said. “It’s a huge shock to everyone in the area.” Val Smith, a county councillor, said: “It’s a lovely quiet area, lots of smallholdings and small farms. This is a dreadful thing to happen. My sympathies to all involved.” A statement from Gwent police said: “We received a report of an incident at a commercial property in Gwehelog, at around 2.50pm on Tuesday, after two men and a woman were attacked by a water buffalo. “A 57-year-old man from the Gwehelog area was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics from Wales ambulance service. “A 19-year-old man from the Gwehelog area sustained critical injuries during the incident. He has been taken to the University hospital for Wales for treatment by the Welsh air ambulance. “A 22-year-old woman from the Gwehelog area sustained a serious injury to her leg. Her injuries are not thought to be critical and she has been taken to the Royal Gwent hospital for treatment. “The water buffalo has been destroyed. Officers received assistance from the National Police Air Service at the scene.” It is believed that armed police also attended the scene. The richness of water buffalo milk makes it a popular ingredient in products ranging from mozzarella to ice-cream. Water buffalo are sometimes also introduced as part of conservation projects and have grazed since 2002 on the Teifi Marshes in Pembrokeshire, south-west Wales. The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales said that usually they posed no risk to humans. “Given their size, water buffalo are generally intelligent docile creatures, who respond well to gentle handling,” it said.