That man makes me rather proud of the human race again. Front page of my local rag.
http://www.thechronicle.com.au/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3767983
Rescue efforts can't save Duke
Adrian Guthrie, of Murphys Creek Rural Fire Brigade, attempts to calm 20-year-old Duke.
"Duke", a 20-year-old horse, died after a rescue operation was launched at 8Murphys Creek late Thursday to 8extricate him from a septic tank.
Rescue crews from Murphys Creek, Helidon and Toowoomba used manpower to pull the 450kg horse free from a two-metre wide septic tank into which it had fallen after seeking shelter from 8Thursday's heavy rain.
Murphys Creek Road resident Jason Fitch said his family was minding the former racehorse for Toowoomba friends who were on a holiday.
Mr Fitch, 32, said it was thought Duke could have been stranded for as long as an hour before his wife Kylie, 28, saw the collapsed septic tank from the laundry window.
Special webbing was attached to the forelegs of Duke who was up to his neck in sewage.
The family kept watch over Duke after the rescue and the large horse was eating and wandering around up to 8pm on Thursday.
Vet John Barnwell said he believed the stress on Duke's lungs and diaphragm, which were in such an awkward position for a lengthy period, ultimately led to his death sometime overnight.
Murphys Creek Rural Fire Brigade second officer Michael Wilson said there was no distinction between animal or human in a rescue that simply had to be made.
"It's probably a favour no-one will ask me to do again," Mr Fitch said sadly.
"I feel terribly guilty but everything was done to save him and we can't thank the crews in the rescue enough."
Comments
It was for this reason, I never as a child could watch the Disney movie Bambi, or what I suspected would end in tragedy with other classic animal movies. Funny.
It was so sad. And the statement by the fireman was something to make one proud. It boiled down to ALL life is precious.
Thanks Snowy. P.S. Love the Einstein quote
Why are we so empathetic to children and animals trapped in tunnels? I saw a story on the news the other day about a little girl in Japan rescued from an old mine shaft. Her rescue captured the attention of the world, yet we think nothing of sending off bombs towards children.
At least Duke left knowing he was loved and cared for.
After you hit reply, I looked up your blog. Loved it.
yes, this kind of stuff gives me hope for the human race also, Snowy