Dramatic rescue of horse stuck in canal

Passers-by discovered the horse, with its head and neck barely visible at the water's surface, struggling near the towpath.

It had somehow slipped from a rain-sodden field behind homes, in Biddings Lane, Coseley, into the waterway.

And with reeds and silt clogging the waters and steep banks opposite a brick-built towpath, the horse had been unable to get out. Onlookers had coaxed the frightened white-haired horse closer to the towpath before calling for the help of emergency services.

They stood and watched as firefighters from Bilston Fire Station attempted to calm the animal before planning their rescue.

Lettings officer Wayne Morris had been driving back from viewing a property on Sunday at around 3pm when he came upon the rescue. The 46-year-old, who works for Wednesbury-based property agency J9 Accommodation, saw people looking on with a fire engine blocking part of the roadway.

His pictures detail the near 40-minute rescue, showing first how crews reassured the animal before being able to slowly turn the horse around to guide it back towards its field. It hugged the towpath, making slow progress through the cold waters of the Birmingham Canal. More and more people gathered on the towpath as the drama unfolded. "It is definitely not something you see every day, that's why I got out of the car to have a look," said Mr Morris.

"The horse seemed frightened so the firemen removed their hats and just tried to keep it calm. No-one was sure what had happened. The horse had seemed to come from the field near the houses as there was another horse there as well."

Fire crews had to find a way of getting the horse across the width of the canal, which was deeper in the middle than at the sides. They looped ropes around the animal, and with the help of onlookers, started to manoeuvre it to the centre of the waterway. But as it moved further, the horse's body started to sink lower under the surface, causing it to get more agitated.

Yet with constant reassurance, firefighters slowly pulled the animal to the far side of the canal closest to the houses. They then had to navigate the horse out of the water, which was at least 4ft deep.

Wet conditions made the opposite bank hard for the horse to get any grip on.

However by gradually dragging the horse up by its neck, crews were able to get its body and legs clear of the water. And with a last pull, the horse sprang into life, flailing its legs until it was able to get upright and run up the bank. The crowd gave a little cheer and applauded the plucky animal and its rescuers for a job well done.

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