Firefighters in North Chicago hoisted a horse to safety after it jumped halfway out of a trailer and got stuck, fire officials said.
North Chicago Fire Department Chief Dell Urban called the incident an “unusual, once in a career scenario.”
Firefighters were called at 7 a.m. on Wednesday to the Full Moon Family Restaurant, 1300 Skokie Highway in Lake Bluff. When fire crews arrived they found a horse in distress after it jumped halfway out of the trailer and got stuck in the window.
“As our crews arrived, they assessed and plotted out an amazing strategy to hoist the mare to safety, which included a girth harness from the 3″ blitz line place around the body of the horse, the harness was then connected with rescue rope and carabiners to the basket of the ladder truck which would act as a crane,” Fire Chief Dell Urban said.
The horse was then lifted into the air and the pickup truck was moved out of the way so that the horse could be placed on the ground. The horse survived with only minor cuts and was released back to the owner.
“I want to specifically recognize Lt. James Axtt for his leadership and direction of the call, outstanding job Gold Shift, BC Rickabaugh, FF Harman, FF Henderson, FF Perez, FF Cooksey,” Fire Chief Dell Urban said.
