It was a call to duty like no other when Senior Constable Pratt from the Mount Surprise Police Station braved the elements to save a life overnight.

‘Daisy’ the cow as named by her rescuers, had not fared well after Mount Surprise, located 300km south west of Cairns received over 14 inches of rainfall in 36 hours.

Police located Daisy bogged, distressed and at the point of exhaustion when conducting patrols in the area. Senior Constable Andy Pratt needed to devise a rescue mission after being advised that the station owner was locked in at his own homestead by flooding and unable to get to Daisy.

Not content to hear that Daisy would have to be humanely destroyed if she couldn’t be freed, Senior Constable Pratt rallied together some locals to assist with the rescue mission. With the assistance of a police vehicle and lots of pushing Daisy was eventually set free.

She was issued with a pat and a friendly warning about the dangers of flooding as she wandered off to re-join her herd. Long-time police officer, Senior Constable Pratt said that this was a job like no other.

“In over twenty years of policing I’ve seen and done some weird and wonderful things, but this is the first time that I have ever helped save a cow’s life,” said Senior Constable Pratt.

“A big thank-you is extended to my fellow rescuers who weathered the rain and mud to lend Daisy a helping hand.”

Local business owner Trish Wallace commented that this is the most rainfall that she has ever seen.

“I have been here for over 40 years and this is the most rainfall that I can ever recall in such a short period of time,” said Trish Wallace.

“We received half of our average yearly rainfall in just one night.”

Visitors and locals are reminded to check road conditions before travelling throughout the Far Northern Region. For road closure information: 13 19 40