On Saturday, 18th April, fire appliances from Castletown and Douglas Stations were dispatched by the Emergency Joint Control Room to a report that a large horse was trapped in a horse box parked at the side of the road in Douglas Road, Ballasalla. The report also stated that the owner of the horse had been injured trying to release the horse from the box.
 
On arrival it became apparent that the owner had suffered a head injury that required hospital treatment. The lady was then transported to Nobles by ambulance. 
 
The horse, called Volly, had been spooked inside the horse box and had tried to escape via a small door used for human access only. This resulted in Volly being stuck half in and half out of the box.

Following advice from a vet who attended the incident it was agreed that the best strategy was to enlarge the doorway by using two reciprocating saws to cut the surrounding doorframe and wall. At this time Volly had been sedated by the vet and remained calm throughout the incident. Having created a large enough space Volly was then easily led out of the box to be examined by the vet.
Having been through a traumatic experience it was a relief to all involved to find that Volly had only suffered minor cuts and abrasions to the legs which were immediately treated by the vet.


Station Officer Colin Kirkham who attended the incident as Duty Officer said:

‘It was pleasing to see crews from Castletown and Douglas working together to bring about a successful rescue. I would also like to thank the vet who attended whom without his advice and support the incident would have been much more challenging. ’