It was a race against time to save a terrified 1,200-pound horse fighting for his life beneath the ice.
Lake city fire company, Edinboro fire department, the Anna shelter, and local bystanders rushed to the scene at Edinboro lake after calls came in that a horse had broken loose and fallen through the ice.
We spoke with captain Jim Dahle of the Edinboro volunteer fire department, who was getting ready for bed when the call came in.
He immediately sprang into action, followed the horse’s tracks to the scene, and remained there throughout the entire rescue.
They eventually got the horse Ernie to safety–Dahle says the game changer was the same crew that rescued the horse had conducted practice drills just a month earlier.
After more than an hour, Ernie finally stood up and made his way to the trailer—with plenty of assistance.
The veterinarian on scene said she’s never scene anything like this before and while: “Ernie is a fighter. Everyone on Edinboro Lake who stepped up to help is a heroes. “