Shropshire farmer speaks of disbelief as lamb survives falling 26 feet down well
A farmer today told of his disbelief after one of his newborn lambs fell 26 feet down a well – and gamboled away without a scratch.
The four-week-old sparked a big rescue operation after it fell down the disused shaft in south Shropshire.
Fire crews were called to Shepherds Whym Farm, Bishop's Castle, on Tuesday lunchtime and 12 firefighters spent three hours rescuing him.
Farmer Phil Keal realised the newborn had fallen after hearing its mother's cries.
Mr Keal said: "We were doing our morning checks when we saw the mother standing near the well. She was bleating loudly and it alerted us that something was wrong. As we got closer we heard his cries and realised he had fallen into the well."
Watch manager Tracy Magill, from Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service, said they received a call at 12.04pm and the rescue ended just after 3pm when the newborn was winched out of the well with the help of specialist rescue equipment brought over from Wellington.
The crew removed vegetation from the well's entrance and then used a crane to lower a ladder in so a fire officer could climb down to bring the lamb up.
Local people watched as eventually the animal was returned safely to his mum, who kept a close eye on the well and the rescue attempt.
Mr Magill said the lamb was remarkably calm after its ordeal and seemed content as it was returned to its mother.
"The lamb had fallen approximately 10 metres," he said.
"It is not known how the lamb got down there but seemed to be fine and ran off when placed back on firm ground."
Farmer Mr Keal said: "We have over 300 sheep and over 400 lambs and this one is the first to get into mischief but he was absolutely fine, not a bother on him.
"We have fenced it off now so he can't do it again."
