Community springs into action to make challenging rescue

[reader]

A friend visiting his family became involved in a unique rescue effort in his village in The Ha Tinh province of Vietnam.

A water buffalo last Friday fell into a shallow well. Its owner sent out urgent calls to the community for help and within minutes would-be rescuers of all ages began converging on the location. They first attempted to manhandle the animal out but were unable to obtain the needed leverage. A local contractor soon joined the effort with his front end loader.

My friend’s uncle volunteered to attach heavy duty lifting straps to the animal now trapped on its back in the well. 
 

The crane operator then managed to remove the buffalo in a delicate maneuver without causing any additional injury as the scores of residents looked on.

 

After a brief rest, the buffalo got to its feet and headed home, followed  by a grateful caretaker. All told, it was impressive example of how a rural community rallied to save one of its treasured members.