Wonder horse Flash was today enjoying the freedom of his field after he was rescued from a sticky situation by kind-hearted firefighters.

The 25-year-old cob nearly died after he got stuck in his stable.

The drama unfolded early when Flash's owner, Shirley Newman, of Gifhorn Road, Canvey, went down to her stables.

She said: "When I got to the yard at about 9am on Friday Flash was laying down in his stable.

"He could not get up. I called the vet but we could not get him out of the stable - we even took the door off."

Shirley thought Flash must have been stuck for more than ten hours as he had not eaten any of his hay.

She said: "He was soaked in sweat and I really thought I was going to lose him."

Then the vet had the brainwave of calling the fire brigade.

A team of firefighters from Canvey raced to the stables and using a sling managed to get Flash onto his feet and out into the open.

Shirley said: "The fire brigade was wonderful. They not only got Flash out but spent an hour with us helping to prop him up as the sedative the vet had given him wore off.

"Flash was numb down one side where he had been laying for so long and they stayed with us, keeping him on his feet until he recovered."

Sub officer Richard Norris, of Canvey fire, said: "We got him back on his feet and we stayed with him for a while to prop him up until the drugs the vet had given him wore off. He seems fine now."

Back on his feet - Flash with owner Shirley

Picture: MIKE BELLENIE

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