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Drowning cow saved by 'mermaid' on 200-mile swim Drowning cow saved by 'mermaid' on 200-mile swim
(35 minutes later)
A drowning cow was rescued from a river by a passing "mermaid" on a 200-mile swim of the Thames A drowning cow was rescued from a river by a passing "mermaid" on a 200-mile swim of the Thames.
Lindsey Cole took to the water on Friday in a wetsuit, tail and woolly hat from the river at Lechdale, Gloucestershire, to raise awareness of single-use plastic. Lindsey Cole splashed into the river in a wetsuit, tail and hat at Lechdale, Gloucestershire, on Friday. She is raising awareness of the environmental effects of single-use plastic.
As she passed through Oxfordshire on Sunday, she spotted the stricken cow.As she passed through Oxfordshire on Sunday, she spotted the stricken cow.
Ms Cole said she carried on swimming while her mother and support canoeist called the emergency services.Ms Cole said she carried on swimming while her mother and support canoeist called the emergency services.
The animal is believed to have fallen into the river from a nearby field when drinking, two miles east of the Swinford toll bridge.The animal is believed to have fallen into the river from a nearby field when drinking, two miles east of the Swinford toll bridge.
Dubbed the "urban mermaid", Ms Cole had initially thought the animal was a large sheet of white plastic.Dubbed the "urban mermaid", Ms Cole had initially thought the animal was a large sheet of white plastic.
But when she signalled for her support boat to retrieve it, they discovered it had "four legs and was mooing".But when she signalled for her support boat to retrieve it, they discovered it had "four legs and was mooing".
Firefighters from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service river rescue team managed to attach a rope to the animal and hoisted it to safety.Firefighters from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service river rescue team managed to attach a rope to the animal and hoisted it to safety.
A spokesman said anyone who sees a stranded animal in need of rescue should always call 999.A spokesman said anyone who sees a stranded animal in need of rescue should always call 999.
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"Never attempt to rescue it yourself, you may put yourself in serious danger," he added."Never attempt to rescue it yourself, you may put yourself in serious danger," he added.
Ms Cole is swimming the route over 22 days and is stopping at schools on the way to raise awareness of plastics.Ms Cole is swimming the route over 22 days and is stopping at schools on the way to raise awareness of plastics.