Cows are known to stray from the herd now and then, but this one ended up in serious trouble. Somehow, it found itself stuck in the middle of a lake with no easy way to get back to shore.

No one saw it happen, so there is no clear answer on whether it walked in too far, slipped down a slope, or was pushed by a current. What was clear to everyone who saw her was that she needed help fast.

A group of friends nearby noticed the cow in the water and quickly decided to do something about it. At first, they came up with a straightforward plan.

They got a rope, tied it around the cow’s neck, and tried to guide her back to shore from their boat. It seemed like the most obvious solution, but it did not work. Instead of helping, the rope made it harder for the cow to lift her head above the surface. She began to struggle more, and they realized they had to come up with a better idea.

One of them jumped into the water and swam beside the cow, physically holding her head up to keep her breathing. That made a difference, but it still was not enough. Two others leaned over the side of the boat to give extra support while the driver slowly steered them toward land.

In her confusion, she tried to headbutt one of the people who had helped her. But once the rope was off and the rescuers gave her space, she calmed down. It was as if she realized she was finally safe.

Watch the rescue for yourself in the following video: