Volunteer Firefighters Rescue Hefty Calf from Abandoned Well

COMANCHE, TX — Volunteer Firefighters in Central Texas had their hands full with a 400 lb calf stuck in an abandoned well.  

According to the Comanche Volunteer Fire Department, on the evening of February 17, 2023, Assistant Chief Brandon Kolb was contacted about a large calf that had fallen into an old well. Firefighters were asked to respond to the station and apprised of the situation. Several members responded from the fire station to the ranch. 

An attempt was made to use the landowner’s  32 foot extension ladder to allow a firefighter to climb down, but the ladder was not long enough. 

Using the winch and cable from one of the fire trucks, and rigging a pulley to the arms of a skidsteer, one of the firefighters was lowered into the well. From above looking down the calf appeared uninjured from the fall. Once the firefighter was down, a large commodity bag was lowered. The firefighter was able to use the the bag to create a harness as it has heavy straps to secure the 400 lb calf. Once secure the calf was hoisted up and out of the well. The calf was reunited with his momma.