Firefighters rescued a horse in a remote area of south Essex after he fell into water.

Crews were called to a field near Mucking Hall Road, Barling, at midday yesterday after reports the horse, named Clive, was trapped in mud after falling into water. 

Due to the remote area, Essex Fire and Rescue Service control officers worked out the best access for firefighters to access the field.

On arrival, crews reported Clive was stuck in mud in the water and requested specialist animal rescue trained firefighters from Chelmsford and water rescue trained firefighters from Urban Search and Rescue.

Firefighters worked closely with Clive’s owner and a vet to keep him calm and reassured while using water rescue sleds and a hi-ab to pull him from the mud to safety. 

He was left safely in the care of his owner and the vet.

Station Manager Mark Elliot said: “Crews worked closely with Clive’s owner and a vet to keep him as calm as possible during a difficult rescue from water.

“We had great communication between us all and we were able to rescue Clive quite quickly and get him back in his stables.”