A DAY-OLD foal died after getting into the River Holme at Holmfirth.
The foal was very distressed when fire crews found it near the river next to Lower Mill Lane, Holmfirth, at about 7pm on Wednesday.
Holmfirth Station Commander Steve Kane, said: “When fire officers arrived she was out of the water at the side of the river, but could not get up the bank, which was approximately 10ft high.
“We dropped ladders and used them to carry the foal up the banking to safety.”
A vet and RSPCA officers were on the scene and the vet sedated the animal.
The foal was described as in a stable condition at first but the Examiner understands that the animal was put to sleep later.
Lower Mill Lane resident, Liz Curren, told the Examiner: “It is believed the foal had only been born the previous night and so was less than 24 hours old.
“I went out to help, as I used to own horses, but the owner was in the river holding the foal’s head above water.
“It was later sedated when they carried it out so it didn’t look in a good way and we hoped it would pull through.”
The foal’s owners, who did not wish to be named, confirmed that the foal has since died.
In another incident, firefighters were called to the River Colne at Linthwaite, also at about 7pm on Wednesday, after a horse became trapped.
Fire crews from Cleckheaton were assisted in the rescue by a technical support unit.
Two firefighters entered the water and used specialist ropes to carefully pull the horse to the shore.
The animal was then checked by a waiting vet.
