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Fire crews rescue 24 sheep from flooded field

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service A firefighter is carrying a sheep out of the flooded field while other firefighters are on the water in an inflatable raftCheshire Fire and Rescue Service
The sheep had become trapped on a field on Plemstall Lane

A specialist rescue team has saved 24 sheep from a severely flooded field.

The animals had been caught in rising icy cold waters off Plemstall Lane in Chester following heavy rainfall.

Trained swift water and animal rescue firefighters from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) used three inflatable rafts and a rescue boat during the rescue operation on Monday.

CFRS said it had successfully relocated all of the 24 sheep they had rescued.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service A firefighter sits in a small red inflatable raft, holding a sheep in front of him. Firefighters on either side of the raft are wading through the knee-deep floodwater. All of them are wearing high-visibility yellow and navy blue clothing and red helmets.Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service
Three inflatable rafts and a rescue boat were used to bring the sheep to safety
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service A firefighter dressed in red waterproof jacket and black waterproof trousers carries a sheep to dry land. A firefighter in an inflatable raft is in the background on the water in the flooded field.Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service
Crews from Chester, Ellesmere Port and Powey Lane were involved in the rescue mission

Twelve sheep had already perished by the time the rescues crews arrived.

Animal rescue supervisor and Lymm crew manager Ryan Cook, who attended the scene, said it was an "extremely cold and wet operation".

"We could see the sheep stood in water and despite their thick fleeces, they were really cold when we reached them.

"Thankfully, they didn't put up too much resistance to being hoisted on to our rafts and across specially made walkways to safety."

The crew was called after two people and the flock had moved to the highest part of the field.

The two people were not injured.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service A firefighter is carrying a sheep out of the water as two other firefighters bring a sheep in on an inflatable raft.Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service
The sheep have been safely relocated

Mr Cook urged anyone finding animals in water to always call the fire and rescue service.

"We have the equipment and have been given the training to deal with situations like this," he said.

"Flood water can be extremely dangerous and fast-flowing and there could be obstacles you can't see under the surface.

"Cold water shock can also affect your breathing and movement so please stay well away from any water."

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