Fire crews don specialist gear to rescue stricken pony

Firefighters were deployed after a pony become trapped in a South Yorkshire river.

South Yorkshire firefighters were called in to free the white pony from the flowing water, before hauling it back out and onto the bank.

Pictures shows firefighters rescuing a horse from the River Dearne, South Yorkshire. Photo: South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service | South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service

placeholder image — Pictures shows firefighters rescuing a horse from the River Dearne, South Yorkshire. Photo: South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service | South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service

The pictures show one of the team members wading through the water to get the the stricken animal, before it was hauled out and was able to canter away into a field.

Crews from Tankersley and Cudworth fire stations responded to calls about the animal.

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Pictures shows the rescued pony safe in a field. Photo: South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service | South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service

A South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “Two crews attended a stretch of river near Hill End Road, Mapplewell, Barnsley after a call was received at 3.31pm on Wednesday 21 October about a pony stranded in the water.

“Crews were able to enter the water in dry suits and lead the animal to safety. The incident was dealt with shortly after 5pm.

“Our firefighters are trained to deal with a range of different scenarios - including large animal rescues and rescues from water.”