Swimming cow saves farmer's wife

[Guest guest]

By Paul Chapman in Wellington

(Filed: 18/02/2004)

 

 

A farmer's wife who was swept away by floods in New Zealand yesterday had

her life saved by a cow.

 

Kim Riley praised the animal - known only as Number 569 - and described it

as "an ugly old tart".

 

The area around Mrs Riley's farm at Woodville, near Palmerston North, has

been lashed by severe storms that have claimed two lives, washed away wooden

houses and forced the evacuation of hundreds of North Island homes. Insurers

put the cost of damage at £40 million.

 

Mrs Riley was leading in a herd of 350 cows in early morning darkness when

they were caught in a torrent of floodwater.

 

"It was just amazing how the current picked me up," she said. "Before I knew

it, I was being pushed along with the cows."

 

Mrs Riley said several of the panicking animals went over the top of her,

leaving her badly bruised from their kicks. Then she saw that a group of

cows had made its way to an outcrop of dry land.

 

"I couldn't swim there, the current was too strong," she said. "I tried to

grab a tree, but missed. I thought if I was washed into the main river I

would be gone. That's when I realised I was in real trouble.

 

"I thought most of the cows had abandoned me. They were strong swimmers and

left me in their wake. But I looked back and saw one of the last cows

bearing down on me, number 569. As she went by I threw my arm over her neck.

 

"She was strong, and the warmth that was coming from her was so reassuring.

I just laid back and relaxed, and said, 'Take me home'.

 

"When we actually hit hard ground, we both sat there quite exhausted,

puffing and shaking.

 

"I could never have made it on my own. She's an old cow, an ugly old tart,

but I'll have to say 'thank you' to her for saving my life."