Horse Rescued From Frigid Floodwaters In McHenry County

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL -- Firefighters and sheriff’s deputies rescued a horse that had been swept into floodwaters Saturday morning in unincorporated Marengo, officials said.

The Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts were alerted early April 4 to a potential animal water rescue in the 22900 block of Anthony Road. When emergency personnel arrived at the scene they found a horse standing in floodwaters about 600 feet from the nearest shoreline, according to a news release from the fire protection district.

Coon Creek's banks became inundated with water following recent storms, and it is believed the horse was swept into the water overnight, officials said.

Since the water temperatures were cold and it was unclear how much time the horse had been in the water, crews determined the situation was time-sensitive and began developing a rescue plan while evaluating the strength of the current, according to the news release.

An initial team used a boat to reach the horse while navigating moving water conditions, and additional personnel and a veterinarian entered the creek from shore to assist, according to authorities.

The boat crew transported the veterinarian across the creek to a small peninsula where the horse had gained footing. From that location, the veterinarian began providing care to the animal, administering medication and working to stabilize since it had suffered from significant hypothermia, according to the news release.

Additional swift-water rescue technicians and resources were brought to the scene, and the crews were able to carefully guide the horse across the creek, which officials estimated to be about 15 feet deep due to elevated flood conditions.

Once at the creek’s edge, nearly two dozen personnel worked together to move the animal up to the roadway, according to the news release.

One person who initially helped with the rescue was taken to a local hospital for evaluation after experiencing cold exposure, according to officials.

The horse was eventually loaded into a trailer and transported to a veterinary facility for further medical treatment.

“It was a challenging and time-sensitive rescue, but we are pleased with the outcome,” said John Kimmel, fire chief for the Marengo Fire Protection District. “Floodwaters can be unpredictable and dangerous for both people and animals. We appreciate the coordinated efforts of all personnel who assisted with bringing this incident to a successful conclusion.”