The cow that fell to earth

A pregnant cow that fell 100ft onto a beach full of sunbathers has been airlifted back to her field by an RAF helicopter after her "incredible escape".

A pregnant cow that fell 100ft onto a beach full of sunbathers has been airlifted back to her field by an RAF helicopter after her "incredible escape".

The cow got over a fence in her field and rolled down a steep grass bank into a stream before jumping out on to the beach at Western Mouth near Sidmouth, Devon.

A team of 10 firefighters were unable to move her in an operation last night and the coastguard rescue helicopter could not help because the cow was too heavy for it to lift.

A Sea King helicopter from RAF Chivenor eventually winched the cow to safety.

Fire Station Officer Doug Smith, who was at the scene, said several people were sunbathing on the popular beach when the animal fell.

"Hopefully Daisy, or whatever she's called, will be all right and go on and have her calf," he said.

An RSPCA spokeswoman said the cow had an "incredible escape".