Heartbreak as flash flood kills hundreds of sheep

A FARMING couple have been left heartbroken after a sudden flood resulted in the loss of hundreds of their sheep.

- ANDREW FORGRAVE and ROBERT HARRIES

The number of recovered carcasses currently stands at 272 with the count expected to rise as more are discovered.

Kiyan Freedom and his wife Tetiana, who are new to farming, started building their flock on rented land in April this year. Kiyan was tending to his flock on Thursday morning when he noticed the water level of the nearby river rapidly rising around him, soon reaching waist height.

In an attempt to save his livestock he began diving underwater to rescue the struggling ewes and lambs.

"In places the water was three metres (10ft) deep," he said.

"With our bare hands we began rescuing the animals one by one."

Kiyan, a former international criminal barrister who fled Iran fearing for his life, met and married fellow refugee Tetiana from Ukraine in the UK. The couple settled in Gowerton, near Swansea.

After being diagnosed with lung cancer two years ago, Kiyan had to put his legal career on hold. Renting land to establish a sheep flock was part of the couple's plan to aid his recovery.

The couple purchased 600 ewes and lambs from local markets and stocked a shed with feed and hay in Pontyates, near Llanelli. Their rented land is traversed by the Afon Gwendraeth Fawr river.