Driver arrested on drink-drive charge after horsebox overturns

Rescue experts worked for three hours to rescue a horse from a horsebox overturned in a ditch.

The horsebox came off the A442 at Cutnall Green, Worcestershire, at 4.30pm on Sunday (28 February).

The female driver of the white Mercedes box has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving and released on bail.

“It was a very complex operation to try and free the horse,” Paul Honeghan of Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue service told H&H.

“The lorry was upside down in the ditch with water inside it. It wasn’t just a case of opening it up and leading out the horse.

“Before we could even think about getting the horse out, we had to stabilise the lorry.”

The driver and two passengers escaped quickly and without serious injuries, but 16hh New Series was not freed until 7.05pm.

The Environmental Protection Unit from Stourport, the Incident Support from Droitwich and the Urban Search and Rescue team were also called to the scene to help carry out the rescue.

“Both diesel and fuel oil were leaking from the vehicle and so we had to use booms and absorbent pads to contain the spillage and minimise further environmental damage,” said Ian Jallands, also of Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.

“With human passengers clear and the vehicle stabilised, vets partially sedated the horse and an exit trench was dug by the Urban Search and Rescue Team.

“Firefighters then used a winch to force open the back of the lorry and the horse was led — uninjured — to the safety of a nearby field,” added Mr Jallands.

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