By Northeast Illinois Emergency Incidents
MARENGO, IL — Early Saturday morning, crews from the Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts responded to a challenging and unique rescue after a horse was found stranded in floodwaters along Coon Creek following overnight storms.
Upon arrival, crews located the animal approximately 600 feet from shore, surrounded by fast-moving water after the creek overflowed its banks. The horse had managed to find footing on a small peninsula, but the location made direct access extremely difficult. With water depths estimated at around 15 feet and a strong current present, crews were unable to simply bring the animal straight across.
An initial team deployed a boat to reach the horse, while additional personnel coordinated efforts from shore and nearby access points. A veterinarian was transported across the creek by boat to assess and begin treating the animal. The horse was suffering from significant hypothermia due to prolonged exposure to cold floodwaters. On-site care included administering medication and stabilizing the animal as crews prepared for the next phase of the rescue.
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