Video: 300 Welsh sheep drown as river rises suddenly

Nearly 300 sheep have drowned in a Welsh river flood near Pontyates, Llanelli, leaving local farmer Kiyan Freedom in despair.

Mr Freedom, who rents the land the sheep were kept on, noticed the water levels of the Afan Gwendraeth Fawr river rising rapidly as he was checking on the flock.

As the floodwater tore through the field, he started to rescue the sheep as quickly as possible.

“I was out feeding the sheep and heard this loud noise and then saw a huge amount of water coming my way. I had to dive into the water to try and save the sheep, but the water so deep,” he told Farmers Weekly.

See also: Farmer saves sheep from quicksand in Morecambe Bay

Together with his wife Tetiana, the couple kept 600 ewes and lambs – a mix of Welsh, Texel and Easycare – of which 272 drowned in the flood.

The former international barrister from Iran, said he has now lost the majority of the flock and their winter feed in the floodwater.

Hefty bills to pay

The couple, who started their farming career in April following Mr Freedom being diagnosed with cancer, are now faced with a hefty livestock disposal bill and their future is an uncertain one.

“The sheep that survived are not very well and they’re still wet. All the hay and feed I had has gone in the floodwater and now I need to pay to dispose of the dead bodies for which I have no money,” he said.

Mr Freedom estimates that it will cost him more than £5,000 in deadstock collection fees and he’s not sure how they will recover from the loss.

“I’m looking at damage of over £100,000. I still have a brain tumour and am on a lot of medication. I just don’t know what to do and all the organisations I’ve called said they can’t help me,” he added.

“I want to continue farming and be part of this community.”