Farmers help to free horse after float accident

A horse and horse float were involved in an accident on Taihape Rd on Saturday. Photo File

Farmers were integral to emergency services as they freed a trapped horse after an accident near Hastings on Saturday.

Emergency services were called to the scene on Taihape Rd in Pukehamoamoa just after 12.30pm.

A vehicle had rolled several times off the road and the horse float it was towing had landed on its side, trapping a horse which needed to be extracted using cutting equipment.

Hastings Fire Station senior station officer Warrick Le Quesne said because of a horse's unpredictable nature and size, extractions like this could be dangerous for rescuers.

However, local farmers were able to help minimise the risk with their understanding of the animal and by offering a tractor to stabilise the horse float so as not to cause any more injury.

"We didn't know initially the extent of its injuries as we couldn't assess it because it was thrashing around," he said.

However, the owner was able to calm the horse and after waiting an hour for a vet it was sedated, extracted and found to be uninjured.

"We were lucky we had farmers there to help us."

Situations like this were unusual but had happened before, Mr Le Quesne said.

The driver, a woman from Taihape, was also uninjured but very distressed until she knew the horse was all right.

"She was very happy once the horse was assessed and found to be fine," he said.

The vehicle sustained considerable damage due to rolling several times.

Two fire appliances, police and ambulance were in attendance.

Emergency services were at the scene for about an hour and a half, although the actual extraction only took 20 minutes.