Swimming Cow Saves Farmer's Wife

February 19, 2004

Swimming Cow Saves

Farmer's Wife

By Paul Chapman

The Telegraph - UK

2-18-4

WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- 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."

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