Farmers risk lives to save flood cattle
17 October 2000
Farmers risk lives to save flood cattle
By FWi staff
FARMERS risked their lives by jumping into a fast-flowing river to rescue a herd of cattle from floods which have devastated tracts of south east England.
Four men used a fishing boat to rescue 100 stranded animals, valued at 50,000, reports The Times.
They then jumped in to the River Ouse, lassoed the terrified animals one by one and pushed them to higher ground.
Oner farmer had to be pulled out suffering from hypothermia and, despite the farmers efforts, around 40 animals were lost.
The rescue at Lewes, East Sussex took place on Thursday (12 October) afternoon, says the newspaper.
Floodwaters are now receding, but thousands of dead farm animals are reported to be strewn across Kent and Sussex.
Damage has been estimated at 4 billion.
- More floods threaten south-east, FWi, 16 October, 2000
- The Times 17/10/2000 page 11