NEWS

Firefighters, others save horse from mud

Statesman Journal

Firefighters, a vet, a heavy-equipment operator and a Salem-area man all cooperated Sunday to rescue a horse that fell down an embankment and got stuck in muddy water.

At 10:15 Sunday, firefighters with Marion County Fire District No. 1 responded to 6096 Juniper St. NE in Salem to assist with rescuing a trapped horse.

When they arrived, firefighters found a horse trapped in mud and water, buried all the way up to its sides. The horse, named Missy, had apparently been walking in an area of high brush and grass when she fell off embankment and landed in a shallow creek. This created a muddy area that trapped the horse in a quicksand-type ground.

Personnel and apparatus that responded to this incident included two engine companies, one heavy rescue, a safety officer and one chief officer. Personnel went to work attempting to free the animal with hand tools and rope. Unfortunately, after two hours of work, it was determined that the horse was so far entrenched in the mud, that bigger resources were needed.

The owner of the horse, Robert Alexander Jr., made contact with a friend who was able to load and bring a front-end loader to the scene. The front-end loader was rigged with heavy-duty lifting straps.

Dr. Terry Gerros, an equine veterinarian from Santiam Equine, sedated the horse.

After three hours, the front-end loader operator and firefighters were able to extricate the horse. The horse was lifted from the mud slurry and placed on more stable ground away from the embankment. The horse remained under the care of her owners and Dr. Gerros at the scene. There is no further update on the horse as of press time.

This isn't the first time for such an incident at the Alexander property, acccording to Patrick J. Wineman, Incident Commander with MCFD.

"As many will recall, a similar situation occurred back in February, when one of Mr. Alexander's horses, Ace, became entangled in barbed wire fencing in a pond, requiring rescuers to assist then as well," Wineman said in a media release. "Mr. Alexander was very thankful for both responses, stating today, 'I knew if I called, the firefighters would be able to help us ... again.'