These were the scenes when fire crews rescued a horse stuck in a water-filled ditch near Burnham-On-Sea on Thursday (May 29th).
The incident, which took place at Watchfield Lawn in Watchfield at around 10.30am, saw the horse being sedated by a vet before being lifted to safety.
As pictured here, the horse was lifted from the ditch using a telehandler, which combines the functions of a forklift and a crane, that was borrowed from a nearby farm.
An eyewitness told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “The horse had reared and lost her footing before falling into the ditch with the rider, who fortunately managed to scramble out.”
A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service added: “Fire Control received a call requesting assistance to free a horse stuck in a ditch filled with water and sludge.”
“Crews from Bridgwater were mobilised including an animal rescue team.”
“On arrival crews confirmed that one horse of 16 hands was stuck in a ditch. A vet attended to sedate the horse and crews formulated a plan to lift the horse to safety.”
“The horse was rescued from the water filled ditch using one triple extension ladder and specialist lifting kit supported by a telehandler from a local farm.”
The horse and rider are safe and home with a few scratches and bruises. The horse is out grazing and happy.
