While taking his dog for a walk in Great Yarmouth at 08:00 GMT, postman Alex Smith noticed a wet cat that seemed to be stuck. Concerned for the white feline’s safety, he contacted both the RNLI and Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service. Despite its precarious situation, the cat chose to paddle to safety instead of waiting for rescue. Fortunately, lifeguards were able to retrieve the animal from the River Bure and deliver it to the RSPCA.
According to Mr. Smith, he noticed a cat trapped on the wall and felt like there was no way for it to escape. To seek help, he posted about it on Facebook and reached out to the coastguards and fire service. Grant Cotterell, who is a firefighter, was assigned to check the situation and determine the necessary actions. After assessing the situation, it became apparent that they wouldn’t be able to do anything from the bank side, therefore, they needed the inshore lifeboat from the coastguard to rescue the poor animal from the river wall.
According to him, he dispatched teams to rescue Icicle as he was concerned about the safety of the public. He explained that in any animal rescue situation, people tend to try and help the animal, which could put them in harm’s way, leading to a larger emergency and endangering everyone involved. Initially, he tried to lower a rescue line for Icicle to grab onto, but the adventurous pet had different plans and opted for a swim instead. Eventually, the lifeboat arrived and the crew successfully rescued Icicle.
Andrew Turner, a reporter for BBC Radio Norfolk, was fortunate enough to receive some salmon trimmings from a nearby fish shop that he could give to the lifeguards to feed their pet cat. The poor feline was shivering and wet, but it quickly tucked into the food. Afterward, the cat was taken to the East Norfolk Branch RSPCA clinic, where it was evaluated, its microchip was read, and it was returned to its owner, Mandy Baker. Thankfully, the cat has made a full recovery and shows no signs of negative effects. Mandy expressed her gratitude towards everyone who played a part in the rescue operation.
According to Oliver Bolton, a resident of Gorleston who captured the incident in photos, the prompt actions of the RNLI were crucial in rescuing the cat that had fallen into the water just three minutes before they arrived. Bolton believes that without the help of the RNLI and Alex Smith, who alerted them to the situation, the outcome could have been much worse for the feline.
According to the fire service, Icicle probably entered the wall’s hole while walking on the mud flats during low tide and got trapped as the river rose. The situation was even more dangerous since the cat was close to water and risked drowning or further harm. Additionally, the cat’s labored breathing added urgency to the rescue mission.
Rescuing a cat from an embankment near a river can be hazardous and should be done with careful planning and execution. It’s crucial to prioritize personal safety and seek trained individuals or emergency services whenever necessary.
After rescuing the cat and bringing it to safety, ensuring prompt veterinary care is essential to assess its condition and provide any needed medical attention. The cat might have sustained injuries or experienced distress during the incident.
