Deaf cat survives 40ft fall onto concrete slabbing in River Mersey

‘I think he certainly lost one of his nine lives,’ says owner after firefighters rescue pet by boat and water sled

Cat rescued from River Mersey by firefighters (RSPCA)

A deaf cat used one of his nine lives and escaped unscathed after falling 40 feet onto concrete debris lying in the River Mersey.

Firefighters had to rescue the one-year-old after it found itself trapped on the slabbing as the tide came in.

The specialist marine unit used a boat followed by a water sled to approach the animal, called Ollie, before carrying it ashore at Priory Wharf near Birkenhead.

RSPCA inspector Leanne Cragg, who helped with the operation, said: "It was a fantastic team effort and I am so grateful to Merseyside Fire and Rescue for their help.

"I was concerned for the cat's safety as I knew the tide was about to come in and it gets very high in that area and it was also getting dark.

"There was no safe route down to get to Ollie so the fire crew suggested using their specialist water team who did a great job.

"As the firefighter got close Ollie moved towards him and meowed and was happy to get into his arms, he knew he was going to be safe.

"He is a very lucky cat, it was such a big fall and to come through the whole incident unscathed is amazing."

Speaking after the rescue last Tuesday, Ollie's owner Emma Tarpey, 26, said: "I think he certainly lost one of his nine lives during this incident and as he doesn't go out much we are going to keep him as a house cat to protect him, especially as he is deaf.

“I am so grateful to everyone who helped in the rescue.”