Horse rescued from frozen ditch
Flash Dance was trapped in two feet of mud until fire fighters got her out
Fire fighters battled to save Flash Dance the horse when she she slipped and fell into a freezing ditch and became stuck in East Kilbride.
Despite the efforts of owner Kath Mulholland along with livery owner John McIntyre and his family, Flash Dance was trapped, cold and exhausted in two feet of mud and they were worried she was going to have to be put down.
They called 999 to see if the local fire crew's skills in rope rescue and water rescue could free the horse who weights 440 kilos.
They used an inflatable air bag to try and raise the horse to her feet but it kept sinking into the soft ground.
Station Manager Eddie Kelly then enlisted the help of a nearby farmer whose JCB digger was used to scoop away six feet of mud - allowing firefighters to get underneath the animal, secure ropes around her body and hoist her clear.
She was tired, cold and dirty but otherwise uninjured.
Station Manager Kelly said: “This was a challenging and time-critical operation. Flash Dance was stuck in deep mud, on a slope, and she was tired, exhausted and very cold.
“We were able to use our specialist rescue skills and equipment to find a solution and, by working with the local farming community, were able to free Flash Dance and reunite her with her owner. The assistance given to us was invaluable.”
Kath, 58, said: “The firefighters would not give up. They were fantastic. I just want to thank them, John and his family, the farmer and everyone else who helped.”
John was involved in the rescue operation along with wife Barbara, 63, daughter Susan, 39, her husband Scott, 42, and daughter Sarah, 29.
Firefighters informed him afterwards about the SFRS Rural Risk Project in South Lanarkshire and Dumfries and Galloway.
There are over 9,000 farms in Scotland and SFRS can respond not only to large animal rescue but building and vehicle fires, road traffic collisions and flooding. Farms are also vulnerable to wilful fire-raising due to their isolated location, open boundaries and readily ignitable hay and straw stacks.
John, 65, who owns Flatmoss Farm including livery yard and associated buildings, said: “I think it is a good idea. It means firefighters can be prepared - and they can help keep my property safe. I am certainly going to let others know about it.”
To find out more about the Rural Risk Project, visit