Horse Rescued After Getting Trapped in Gate by West Sussex Fire Crew
Trapped Horse Sparks Dramatic Rescue
A horse found itself stuck in a metal gate after it came off its hinges in Smithers Lane, Edenbridge. West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service’s Technical Rescue Unit (TRU) and East Grinstead firefighters were called to the scene just after 10am on Tuesday.
Quick Action and Teamwork Save the Day
On arrival, crews saw the horse trapped by its front legs. TRU Crew Manager Charlie Eastwell led the rescue, explaining the delicate situation:
“Fortunately the horse hadn’t been trapped for too long, so it wasn’t too distressed, which can often make these rescues dangerous. We always work closely with a vet to keep the animal and our team safe.”
Because the horse was stuck tight, the team had to cut through the metal bars. The vet sedated the animal to keep it calm and stop it from moving. Using a pedal cutter from East Grinstead’s fire engine and riot shields for protection, the crew carefully sliced through the gate.
Minor Injuries But Big Relief
Once freed, the vet checked the horse over and confirmed it only had minor, superficial injuries. Rescue teams breathed a sigh of relief after the successful operation.
Setting the Standard for Animal Rescues Nationwide
This rescue comes hot on the heels of the TRU’s recent collaboration with the British Animal Rescue and Trauma Care Association. The teams filmed their specialist techniques to help rescue animals of all sizes in tricky situations. The new training films will be shared with rescue units across the UK as a benchmark for best practice.
