Exclusive video: Rescuers save 17-year-old horse from drowning at Orchard Beach in the Bronx
ORCHARD BEACH, Bronx (WABC) -- Rescuers jumped into action to save a drowning horse at Orchard Beach on Friday afternoon.
Calls came in after 1 p.m. for reports of a horse stuck in the water.
The 17-year-old horse, named Bear, was being ridden along the shoreline and somehow got stuck in mud up to its chest.
Bear's owners tried to rescue the horse before they had to turn to police for help.
Bear's owner's friend, Madison, said that they actually got stuck too and both thought they would drown.
"I guess something spooked him and he ran off and then he ran out to the water and kept going because he got scared," Madison said. "It was going on for about two hours, we were waiting a very long time and then finally they came to the rescue."
A team of about 10 responders from ESU, Harbor, Aviation and Mounting units arrived.
Exclusive video from NewsCopter 7 showed divers work together to keep the horse's head above water and pulled Bear to shore using a rescue glide.
Then rescuers were able to get Bear to shore safely where the horse was able to catch his breath and eventually stand on his own.
"I was shocked, I thought it was a miracle, I thought he was really hurt," Madison said. "We are just really happy the horse is OK."
Bear was taken to a stable nearby after a rough day, but he did not suffer any major injuries. A veterinarian will check out Bear to make sure he is OK.
ALSO READ | 11-year-old ballerina hosts bake sale after NYC doorman's bike stolen
----------
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
