Community Guides Stranded Horse To Safety

After fierce floodwaters left a horse stranded 600 feet from shore on a tiny peninsula about 60 miles north-west of Chicago earlier this month, it seemed like an impossible situation. The animal stood shivering in 15 feet of Coon Creek's fast-moving water, suffering from hypothermia and growing weaker by the hour. But what happened next showcased the very best of human compassion, teamwork and perseverance.

Local fire and rescue crews sprang into action, carefully navigating treacherous currents by boat to reach the frightened horse. At the same time, a local veterinarian didn't hesitate, crossing the dangerous floodwaters herself to provide life-saving medical care right where the horse stood on its tiny patch of land.

As word spread, the rescue grew into something larger than the sum of its parts. Nearly two dozen responders from multiple agencies answered the call through the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System. Swiftwater technicians, firefighters, dispatchers and volunteers all worked as one team with a single mission: Bring the horse home safely.

When the horse was finally ready, emergency responders carefully guided it through the churning water. When they finally reached shore, all hands joined together to gently move the horse from the water's edge to safety, where a trailer waited to transport it for continued care.

After the incident, a spokesperson for Marengo Fire & Rescue took to social media to thank the many parties who contributed to the technically difficult rescue. CBS News reported that the horse, a 20-year-old Appaloosa named Troy, is now happily grazing on hay back in his own barn.