It’s just an-udder rescue for Witness (From Wiltshire Times)

It’s just an-udder rescue for Witness

3:41pm Friday 11th August 2006 in Corsham

Witness the cow had to be rescued twice over the weekend after getting stuck in a riverbed.

Fire crews were called to a Hobbs Bottom Farm in Box on Saturday night to rescue the heifer, who had calved just hours before, after farmer Michael Hill had struggled to free her.

Mr Hill said: "Witness is fine now and walking around again. She was suffering from milk fever after giving birth and I think she went into the riverbed on the Saturday evening to try and get a drink.

"I tried to get her out and struggled for an hour and a half but I couldn't manage on my own so I called the fire brigade."

A fire crew from Corsham, as well as emergency support from Chippenham arrived at 11pm and used ropes, slings, spades and shovels to free her.

Mr Hill said: "She was quite resigned to the fact that she was stuck and didn't make too much of a fuss, in fact she was very relaxed about the whole thing.

"She is a lovely cow and very friendly and was calm for the three hours it took for the fire brigade to free her."

Despite her ordeal, Witness became stuck in the same place again the following night. Fortunately, Mr Hill was able to get her out himself the second time.

She has now been moved to another field and treated for milk fever.