Nine Cattle Perish in West Cornwall as Storm Darragh Fells Power Cable

During Storm Darragh, a power cable fell at a farm in west Cornwall, resulting in the deaths of nine cows. According to the farmer, the animals were seeking shelter under a hedge at Higher Bojewyan, close to Pendeen, on Saturday night. The storm, which generated winds of 67mph (107km/h) in the region, also caused numerous road closures across Cornwall due to fallen power cables and trees. National Grid engineers have attended the site, and the farmer reported that he could not approach the field due to the inherent danger. Eric Murley, who operates Higher Bojewyan farm alongside his wife and three sons, stated: “The wind last night was as bad as it’s ever been, absolutely horrible.” He added: “It looks as though the cows were sheltering under a hedge and it just so happened that this cable was right above them.” “It came down across them and that was that.” This incident follows another loss for the family just one month prior, when 32 Jersey in-calf heifers died from tuberculosis. On Saturday, during the storm, wind gusts reaching 67mph (107km/h) were registered on the Isles of Scilly, located off the west coast of Cornwall. The storm continues to cause disruption for travellers across the South West, with over 17,000 properties in Cornwall remaining without electricity. Great Western Railway (GWR) announced that train services between Plymouth and Penzance would not operate until at least 16:00 GMT. A yellow warning for wind persists across Cornwall and a significant portion of England and Wales, indicating the likelihood of additional disruption. The BBC has sought a statement from National Grid.