A butcher has died trying to butcher a pig in a Hong Kong slaughterhouse. The case was disclosed by local authorities. The 61-year-old man worked at a Sheung Shui slaughterhouse north of the city, near the border with mainland China.

According to CNN, the butcher had shot the animal with an electric stun gun, to make it vulnerable and prepare it for slaughter, last Friday (20). However, after a few minutes, the pig regained consciousness and advanced towards the man, knocking him to the ground.

The professional was holding a 40cm blade when he was attacked. When he fell to the ground, he injured himself with the sharp object and lost a lot of blood, according to police.

Subsequently, a colleague of the butcher entered the establishment and found him unconscious, with a knife in his hand and a serious wound in his left foot. He was taken to the nearest hospital, but was pronounced dead by medical personnel.

Although authorities have confirmed that the man was attacked by the pig as he was about to kill it, an investigation has yet to determine the official cause of the butcher’s death.

A spokesman for the Hong Kong Department of Labor issued a press release saying the investigation into the case was continuing. “The Department of Labor mourns this passing and extends its deepest condolences to his family,” the statement read.

“We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident and determine the responsibility of those responsible,” a department spokesman said.

Hong Kong authorities also did not provide information on what happened to the pig.