I took part in this 'rescue' a few years ago:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/2957334.stm
What the report failed to mention was that according to the vets, the first cow over the cliff survived the fall, but was killed when the other cow landed on him.
At the time of the rescue, the tide was coming in, and the cow was at risk of drowning. In the interests of speed, it was elected to lift the cow with 2 strops. The vets sedated the cow, the Sea King got into postion, and the bovine base jumper was ushered into the strops.
The Sea King got the cow about 10ft clear before it slipped out of the strops and fell back into the water - sedated. One of the vets managed to get the cows snout just above the rapidly rising waterline and hold it there by placing 2 fingers up it's nose.
A successful multi-strop (Special animal sling
) lift was attempted soon after. At about 50ft up, swinging in the breeze, the cow decided it was time to say thanks, and said it by having a crap, much to the bemusment of those below.
After getting placed back in the field at the top of the cliff, the cow staggered to it's feet, and slowly made for the gate which was well away from the clifftop.
First question from the Grockle TV crew that had assembled to capture the incident: "So, Flt Lt xxx, Is this a waste of tax payers money?"
