Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 15/06/2009 15:45

Members of the Cornwall County Fire Brigade, the Coastguard and the Royal Navy have been recognised with a RSPCA Bronze Medal for Animal Life Saving for their part in a daring rescue of a charolais bull.

The bull was rescued from cliffs near Porthgwarra in July 2008 in an operation involving a Royal Navy helicopter operated by 771 squadron. The Cornwall County Fire Brigade provided access to the bull with a rope system to enable the vet to sedate the animal.

Cornwall County Fire Brigade, RSPCA and Navy personnel were also lowered on ropes as they worked to load the animal into a cargo net. The Coastguard was on stand by throughout the rescue to provide emergency cover if needed.

The Cornwall County Fire Brigade incident commander Andy Barrett worked with crews from Camborne and St Just Community Fire Stations together with staff from the training department who specialise in rope rescue.

Watch Manager Steve Veale from the Brigade Training Centre said “Cornwall County Fire Brigade is very proud to receive this Bronze medal award for its part in the successful rescue of the bull. We did, however, only play a part and this award once again illustrates the excellent working relationships that exist between the emergency services involved and what can be achieved when we work as a team.”