By Sarah Robinson

Last updated at 11:47, Friday, 01 February 2013

Eighteen firefighters spent three-and-a-half hours trying to rescue a horse which fell down an embankment near Frizington.

The animal had got stuck in mud near Jobbygill Wood, on the back road between Whitehaven and Frizington.

Crews worked yesterday to try and rescue it, but despite their attempts, the horse could not be saved and had to be put down.

Barry Foster, crew manager at Whitehaven fire station, said: “We tried everything we could using different equipment to rescue the horse but the bank was quite steep and muddy.”

Mr Foster said crews received reports at around 12.30pm that the horse had become stuck.

Firefighters from Whitehaven, Frizington, Workington and Carlisle all took part in the rescue attempt.

He added that this is second report in two days of a horse getting stuck in mud.

Firefighters were called out on Wednesday at around 12pm to rescue another horse which had got stuck by a stream near Keekle Terrace. Ten firefighters spent 35 minutes lifting the animal out of the mud.

Mr Foster said both incidents have been caused by the recent heavy rain and snow which has saturated the ground.

First published at 11:34, Friday, 01 February 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk