Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 12/12/2008 16:04

On Tuesday, members of Cornwall County Fire Brigade were honoured to receive Certificates of Merit for Animal Rescue from RSPCA Chief Inspector Neil Thomas. They received the award for the rescue of a cow during the summer that had fallen 30ft over the cliffs at Coverack and was stranded for 2 days. The RSPCA wanted to recognise the work the crews did in saving the cows life, because without their help it could eventually have been washed away or starved to death.

15 crew members from Camborne, St Keverne and Mullion fire stations used shaft and line rescue equipment to hoist the cow back up the cliff.

Divisional Commander Mark Boeck says of the rescue, “Crews had an extremely tough job getting down to the cow, as well as then having to catch it in order to allow the vet to sedate it. The crew then carefully winched it to safety – it seemed very happy to be back up top!”

RSPCA certificate of merit for animal rescue awards at Camborne fire station on Tuesday L/r: Crew Manager Robert Martin of Camborne, RSPCA Chief Inspector Neil Thomas, Area Manager Mark Boeck, Crew Manager John Navin of Camborne, Fire Fighter Chris Williams of Mullion, RSPC Inspector Paul Kempson and Station Manager Paul Stevens of St. Keverne. Picture by Colin Higgs/CIOSP