Lifesaving efforts of Cow 569 turned into children's book

By JAMES GARDINER

The flood survival story that captured the nation's imagination is being turned into a children's book.

Woodville dairy farmer Kim Riley came desperately close to being the only human fatality of the devastating storm that flooded the lower North Island in February.

She was swept into the swollen Manawatu River but survived by clinging to one of her cows, which swam to safety.

Now the story of how Mrs Riley, 43, was saved by cow number 569 is to be published by Random House in October under the title Cow Power.

Mrs Riley and her husband, Keith, are sharemilkers beside the entrance to the Manawatu Gorge on a 330ha farm, all but 50ha of which was submerged.

In the early hours of February 16 Mrs Riley and 350 of their 900 cows were swept away as she tried to get them to the milking shed.

They were carried 400m downstream before the herd, with Mrs Riley clinging to 569, a 9-year-old friesian, swam to safety. All but 15 of the cows survived.

Mrs Riley's story was picked up around the world and she had calls from reporters in Britain, Australia and France.

"Nobody actually realised that cows can swim like they do, I guess," Mrs Riley said.

Also taken were the staff at Random House in Auckland. "We all really enjoyed reading the story in the Herald," said commissioning editor Jenny Hellen.

"It's got all the elements for a children's book: drama, tension, her sense of humour and a happy ending."

Cow 569 now sports special ear tags labelling her a "life saver".

Mrs Riley said writing the book had been enjoyable and therapeutic.

And the film rights?

"If Peter Jackson wants to invite me to lunch we could talk about it. Give him my number."