This cow was over the moon today after being winched to safety when she fell down a ten foot WELL.
The 12-month-old bovine – who remained upright throughout her ordeal – was spotted swimming in the water by her stunned farmer at 8am last Wednesday.
Eleven firefighters from Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service rushed to the scene and began the two-and-a-half hour rescue by draining water from the well.
A vet and firefighters were then able to use a ladder to climb down to reach the cow, who they sedated and put ropes around.
The crew then used a teleporter to lift the animal out of the well at Hayleaze Farm in Crudwell, Wilts.
Adam Martin, rural safety officer and crew manager, said the cow was sleeping and even snoring through the ordeal due to her heavy sedation.
He said: ”The cow was in an extremely confined space and would have been very frightened by what had happened, so the challenge was to get her sedated and then lifted free.
”The water was drained from the well, which allowed the vet access to carry out sedation – it was then safe for us to get down to her and put strops around her.
”This was a difficult rescue, because of the location, but the crews worked brilliantly with the farmer and the vet to achieve a really good outcome.
”Apart from a few cuts and scrapes, the cow was no worse the wear for her ordeal.”
Firefighters used a hose reel jet – usually enlisted for putting out fires – to blast the thick mud off the cow, who is now recovering well back at the farm.
