FIREFIGHTERS were called to help rescue a Suffolk Punch horse from the River Severn in Bewdley on Monday afternoon.

Crews from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service were alerted to Northwood Lane just before 2.20pm on Monday (October 5) to help save the 15-hands animal from the water.

Firefighters had to use animal rescue equipment and a four-wheel drive vehicle to help get the horse back on dry land.

 


Robert Sproat, station commander for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, said: "The horse was stuck chest deep in a silt just off the river bank."

He said the vet attended and oversaw the rescue, which took around two hours, after which the horse was reportedly doing ok.

A spokesman for HWFRS said: "The Animal Rescue Team from Bromyard, a water first responder from Kidderminster and a crew from Bewdley attended the incident involving one horse stuck in a river.

"The horse was sedated by a vet and rescue using animal rescue equipment."