Four cows rescued from quicksand in Cumbria

The animals are believed to have broken through a gate

Author: Grace O'HarePublished 22nd Jul 2025

Fire crews in Carlisle have rescued four cows after they became trapped up to their necks in thick mud, near Newton Arlosh.

The animals are believed to have broken through a gate and wandered into the river overnight, becoming stuck in what firefighters described as "extremely firm" quicksand.

Teams from Carlisle East, Carlisle West and Wigton fire stations - including specialists in animal and swift water rescue - worked alongside local farmers to free the cows.

With the help of a telehandler, they were eventually brought back to dry land.

Firefighters called it “an udderly good ending” and thanked the farmers for their support.

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