Roof-scaling sheep falls to earth during rescue

A sheep that managed to climb onto the roof of a two-storey house tumbled to the ground after resisting the efforts of rescuers.

Three fire crews used an aerial platform in an attempt to free the animal, which had clambered onto the roof after getting onto a small outbuilding.



But the male sheep, who had been munching on roof moss as the drama unfolded, fled from the firemen as they attempted to shepherd him onto the platform. He ran to a neighbouring slate roof which had become slippery in the rain, and tumbled to earth, breaking a leg.

"It slipped off the front of the property and landed," said Ben Cairns, from Harrogate Fire Station Green Watch.



"It was fine, although its leg was injured. We left it with villagers who knew the local farmer. Every effort was made to protect the animal from becoming harmed."

He added: "It's possibly the most unusual animal that we have attempted to rescue from a roof."