Heartwarming images show how this horse trapped in drainpipe in Waterlooville was rescued by firefighters
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Chiquita, an eight-year-old horse, was reported to Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service this morning as being trapped in a drainpipe in Purbrook Heath Road, Waterlooville.
This sparked a gruelling operation lasting more than two hours while fire crews, urban search and rescue staff and vets worked to free the horse.
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Hide AdCosham Fire Station’s crew manager, Stephen Alchin, was one of those who took part in the rescue.
He said: ‘Chiquita was about 1.5m down the drain, so had to be sedated by the vets before we lifted her out.
‘She was completely stuck so it took a good couple of hours to get her out.’
Crews from Cosham, Beaulieu, Winchester and more all attended the incident after getting the call at 9.45am.
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Hide AdAfter being eventually freed from the drainpipe, vets gave Chiquita a once-over, and were relieved to find that she was completely unharmed.
‘She had no injuries whatsoever – it was incredible,’ said crew manager Alchin.
‘It was an amazing outcome; if a horse ends up breaking a leg it can be a bit of a tragic ending. Instead, this was a great example of teamwork from everyone at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.’
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