Firefighters lead horse from deep water (From Gazette & Herald)

Firefighters lead horse from deep water

FIREFIGHTERS took to the water yesterday to rescue a stallion which had fallen into the River Derwent in Malton.

The horse is believed to have been grazing by the river opposite Riverside Walk when it fell in at about noon.

The horse was tall enough to stand on the river bed with its head above the water level.

A team of firefighters launched a boat and managed to tie a lasso around the horse's neck before walking it to safety.

The horse, which belongs to a local family, was then led up a ramp, used for launching boats, and back on to dry land.

"The animal was slightly upset, but it wasn't too distressed and we got it safely back to dry land," said a spokesman from Malton fire station.

"It could have been worse if the horse had panicked, but everything went quite smoothly."

Updated: 10:29 Saturday, June 29, 2002