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Published:
April 17, 2009
Stranded
cattle rescued from river estuary near Burnham-On-Sea
A
herd of cows trapped in the River Parrett estuary near Burnham-On-Sea
prompted a huge rescue operation on Friday afternoon (April 17th).
 Five
fire crews from across Somerset, plus two rescue hovercrafts and
a tractor from Burnham-based charity BARB, were called to West
Huntspill at mid-day after seven cattle were reported to be stuck
in deep mud.
The
RSPCA had initially been alerted amid concern for the animals'
welfare.
Ropes,
special mud mats and other equipment were used to help free the
trapped animals over the course of several hours, as pictured
here.
BARB
Operations Manager Steve Perks said: "The fire crews and
BARB's volunteers worked closely throughout the afternoon to free
the trapped cattle. Good teamwork ensured a successful outcome
here."
The Spirit Of Lelaina and Light of Elizabeth hovercrafts were
used to provide safety cover for the rescuers and also to reach
several of the stuck animals.
The
animals are understood to have entered the river from nearby fields
after being spooked.
Click
here for online video coverage of this rescue
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