Fire fighters thank businessman who lent them a crane to rescue horse from Fenland drain

FIREFIGHTERS have heaped praise on a businessman for lending them a crane to rescue a horse from a Fenland drain. The horse and its rider fell into the dyke along Leverington Common, close to Else s furniture store, at 9.15am Tuesday. The female rider was

FIREFIGHTERS have heaped praise on a businessman for lending them a crane to rescue a horse from a Fenland drain.

The horse and its rider fell into the dyke along Leverington Common, close to Else's furniture store, at 9.15am Tuesday.

The female rider was uninjured and called 999, but the horse could not get out of the 12-foot deep dyke because the banks were too slippery.

Firefighters could not use normal rescue methods because the dyke was too deep, but Charlie Welbourn, of Welbourns of Wisbech Ltd, lent a crane so the horse could be hauled to safety.

John Chelton, watch manager at Wisbech fire station, said: "I would like to extend my thanks to Mr Welbourn on behalf of my firefighters and the woman involved for lending his crane to allow us to rescue the horse.

"Without it, the rescue would have been extremely difficult and lengthy and the horse's health would have suffered considerably."

The horse was checked over by a vet, but was unharmed by the ordeal.