By ANEEKA SIMONIS
EMERGENCY workers recently called in a crane to winch a horse to safety in Pakenham.
About 7.15pm on Monday 19 October, Pakenham State Emergency Service (SES) members were alerted to a horse trapped in an aqueduct on Mt Shamrock Road.
Crews unsuccessfully attempted to coax the horse, believed to be named Nessie, from the leech-infested waters for some time.
Pakenham SES called on back up, the Knox SES team which provided a specially designed crane and harness system to pull the horse to safety.
The horse was able to be lifted out of the aqueduct, about 9.30pm.
Pakenham SES media liason Shayne Honey said crew members came away unharmed, despite spending a significant period of time in the leech-filled water.
“No members suffered any leech bites though they spent considerable time in the water. Same can’t be said about the horse though,” he said.
He said the horse was believed to have become stuck in the aqueduct on Sunday.
The horse’s owners were on the scene throughout the whole rescue.
The rescue was also supervised by a local vet.
“We aren’t that well known for animal rescues, but shows the different range of skills we need to train for,” Mr Honey said.
