Carrybridge RNLI assist a stranded cow
At 3.26pm on Wednesday 24 August, Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, Douglas Euan & Kay Richards was launched at the request of Belfast Coastguard, to assess a cow. The animal was reported by a member of the public to be in the water and distressed unable to get out, in the area of Tamlaght Bay.
Winds were South Westerly, Force 2. Visibility was good with cloudy skies.
Once on scene, the lifeboat located the cow which was close to the shoreline, but seemed stuck, and unable to make it ashore.
The volunteer crew moored the lifeboat further up the shoreline a slight distance from the animal so as not to spook it. The crew went ashore and made their way back to the cow’s position, where they found it to be heavily stuck in mud and most of its body submerged in the water.
The local PSNI who were also on Lough Erne that afternoon, arrived on scene to offer their assistance.
Both the volunteer lifeboat crew and the PSNI attempted numerous times to assist the cow back to the shoreline but to no avail. It was stuck firm in the mud and was not for moving.
Due to the animal becoming very tired and weak, and starting to shiver the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) were also requested to attend, to offer further help using some of its specialist equipment.
Enquires to locate the owner were made during which time the lifeboat crew spotted a local farmer feeding animals in another field and made approached him. This farmer was able to go and get the animals owner.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service arrived on scene at the same time as the owner of the cow. The farmer checked the wellbeing of the animal and then set up a halter to assist in the abstraction of the cow from the mud to the shoreline. The cow was successfully brought ashore, and after a couple of shaky attempts, stood up and proceeded to feed on the grass.
The owner of the animal noted that the cow seemed to be in good health after its ordeal, and with some rest should be back to normal again. He also passed on his thanks to all involved in the rescue of his cow.
Speaking following the call out, Stephen Scott, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Carrybridge RNLI commented after the call out and said, “I would like to thank the member of the public who raised the alarm, as no one likes to see animals of any kind in danger. The swift response by the multi agencies today meant that this call-out had a successful outcome for both the cow and the farmer.
If you see someone or something in trouble on the water or are in difficulties yourself the number to dial is: 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.’’
Ends
Notes to editors
· Carrybridge Lifeboat Station was started in 2002 on Upper Lough Erne. It currently operates an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat and a Rescue Water Craft
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For more information please telephone Chris Cathcart, Carrybridge RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07595895908, email [email protected] or Stephen Scott, Carrybridge RNLI Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07786228968, email [email protected] or contact Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 00353 876483547 or [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 00353 871254124 or [email protected]
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