IPSWICH — It was a valiant day for Valencourt.
A wide regimen of public safety personnel converged upon Linebrook Farms on Linebrook Road Monday morning upon reports of a partial floor collapse in a stable imperiling a 1,200-pound horse named Valencourt.
The incident was first called in to first responders at 9:27 a.m. and quickly elevated to the Essex County Fire Chief Association’s Northeast Technical Rescue Team, after first responders found the horse’s hind quarters dangling through the floor into the stable’s lower level, according to a news release on the incident.
The rescue team used a small crane to lift the horse as rescuers cut through and then secured the floor. Valencourt was safely removed at about 1:30 p.m. and was sedated throughout the operation to ensure everyone’s safety.
Valencourt was evaluated on-scene by the SRH Veterinary Animal Hospital and ASPCA and is now up and walking, the release read.
The incident prompted a heavy response due to the Association’s involvement
In addition to on-duty Ipswich police, Public Works officials and firefighters, off-duty and on-call firefighters were also on-hand as Rowley provided station coverage. Through the Fire Chief Association, firefighters from {span}North Reading, Stoneham, Lynnfield, North Andover, Arlington, Reading, and Burlington responded to the scene
“I would like to thank our mutual aid partners for their assistance and response in safely extricating this horse. While this was a challenge given the size of the horse, it was an overall team effort and great save by all,” Ipswich Fire Chief Paul Parisi said.
“Our agencies went above and beyond in their efforts to safely remove Valencourt from the floor. By working as a team, we were able to bring this operation to a successful conclusion.”
Contact Dustin Luca at 978-338-2523 or DLuca@salemnews.com. Follow him at facebook.com/dustinluca or on Twitter @DustinLucaSN.