FIREFIGHTERS waded in to a flooded Bangor-on-Dee field to save more than 60 terrified sheep from a watery death.
A specialist rescue team from Deeside raced to farmland near Bangor-on-Dee racecourse yesterday after farmer Eryl Morris made an emergency 999 call.
He told emergency services teams his flock was trapped on two small islands in the middle of a vast lake which had been formed by flood water from the swollen river nearby.
Although the seven-strong team had a boat on stand-by, they decided the water was shallow enough for them to wade out to the stricken animals.
They then herded them back towards dry land near the road, at times having to lift the heads of the struggling animals above water level to save them from drowning.
Although most of the flock was brought to safety, Mr Morris believed at least a dozen of his sheep may have drowned.
He said: “It has been years since this area flooded but over the past day or so the water has been getting deeper and deeper because the river bank near the racecourse has given way.
“I estimate that there are now about 70 acres under water.
“I noticed that most of my sheep were huddling together on two islands that had been left above water.
“If I had left them there they would have all drowned, so I first tried wading out to them myself.
“The water then started getting too deep for me, so I called the fire service.”
He added: “They have done a hell of a good job – without them this would have been a total disaster and a lot more of my sheep would have drowned.”
Station manager Kevin Brain, who was in charge of the incident, said: “We received a call at 8.35am to say about 60 sheep were trapped on two island in the flooded fields.
“We arrived at the scene and carried out a risk assessment which showed that the water was not moving and had overflowed from the river.
“We had the water rescue team from Deeside and a crew from Wrexham.
“A boat was on stand-by but we decided it was safe for the team, who were all wearing dry-suits, to wade in.”
He added: “At first, as they got towards them, some of the sheep began moving away, but they eventually turned back and a few started to swim on their own towards dry land.
“The team had to help some of the animals keep their heads above water.
“They said later that they didn’t realise how heavy a wet sheep can be.
“The team members are trained in all kinds of rescues, including animals and they did a good job here.”