A RESCUE operation involving 30 firefighters was mounted on Monday afternoon after three cattle fell down a mine shaft at Weir Quay on the Bere peninsula. Two bullocks, each weighing half a tonne, were pulled out alive from the 20ft shaft three hours after crews arrived. A third animal was found dead. Fire crews received a call just before 3pm and appliances from Bere Alston, Tavistock and Camels Head were in attendance, along with a specialist rescue team, the RSPCA and a vet. Tavistock fire station commander Tim Smith said two firemen suspended on lines went down into the shaft and harnessed the animals who were lifted up by a swing shovel. He said: ?The third animal was found under a ledge and had been crushed by the other two. ?The other bullocks were shocked but okay and they are now doing well. They are extremely lucky to be alive.? It was believed that the cattle, who had been spotted around the village, had fallen down the hole sometime around 11am. ?The owners of the land were very helpful and gave us a key to a side adit to see if we could get to the animals but they were too low down,? he said. ?There are mine shafts everywhere in that area and this is not the first time we have rescued cattle from one.? The station commander said the outcome was down to the crews working extremely hard as a team: ?It was a good job well done,? he said. Fire crews remained at the scene until 8pm.
