Kinsale RNLI lifeboat crew rescues cow after cliff fall
Kinsale RNLI lifeboat crew rescues cow after cliff fall
Lifeboats News Release
Kinsale RNLI volunteers were today (Saturday 10 August) called to rescue a cow called Ghost that had fallen from a field onto rocks in Kinsale harbour.
The lifeboat launched at 12.36pm in Gale Force 7 conditions and choppy seas. The black and white Holstein Friesian had dropped some distance and was in an agitated state when the lifeboat arrived on the scene. Two crew members entered the water and attempted to lasso the animal, but the cow panicked and resisted their efforts. The lifeboat returned to the shore and took onboard the owner, local farmer Brian Hayes, fitting him with a lifejacket to ensure his personal safety. The lifeboat then returned to the scene and the volunteers assisted the Mr. Hayes to fit a halter that enabled the lifeboat to tow the creature back to the shore. Safely back on dry land, the crew were happy to hand Ghost over to Mr. Hayes and leave him to coax the beast back into her trailer. Mr. Hayes said: ‘She’s always been hyper since she was a calf. She’s out in the shed now drinking and eating normally, thankfully. The lads were great and I really am fierce grateful to the RNLI.’ This is the second animal rescue for the Kinsale crew in recent months. In February, they assisted a horse that had become trapped in local oyster trestles. RNLI lifeboat helm Jonathan Connor said: ‘While we are delighted to save animals, our primary concern is always for human life. We were eager to prevent the farmer, who was a non-swimmer, and other bystanders from entering the water and attempting the rescue themselves, and were also conscious of a number of people on the nearby beach who could have been put in danger.’
If you see anyone in danger on or near the water please dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.
RNLI/Hetty Walsh
Kinsale RNLI lifeboat crew return Ghost, the year old Holstein Fresian, to safety
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
