Horse rescued but dog dies after frozen lake falls (From Bucks Free Press)

Horse rescued but dog dies after frozen lake falls

9:36am Monday 13th February 2012 in News By James Nadal

A HORSE was saved but a dog died at the weekend after falling through frozen lakes.

Firefighters from High Wycombe and other south Bucks stations were called out to both accidents and managed to recover both creatures.

However, although the horse survived, the dog did not.

Fire crews were called about 1pm on Saturday after the horse had slipped through a lake in Fulmer, near Gerrards Cross.

Firefighters from Gerrards Cross and Amersham were also sent out, along with a rescue boat, which was mobilised from Reading.

High Wycombe crew manager Bill Lambrich said this morning: “A horse was stuck in the lake, after walking across the ice which had given way.

“We managed to affect a rescue and save the animal.”

Firefighters broke the ice and used a harness to pull the horse out of the lake.

Immediately after, the crew dashed to Dorney Lake, the site where the London 2012 Olympics rowing will take place.

A mastiff had plunged into the icy waters.

Crew manager Lambrich said: “The dog slipped its lead and had gone across the ice and fallen through.

“We recovered the dog but unfortunately it had already died. Due to the cold it was too late.

“This is a message for people in these conditions when near an open water source to keep their dogs on a lead.”

He also warned people about the hazard: “It could have been a person just as easily.”

Equestrian expert Steve Morley from High Wycombe fire station led the horse rescue operation.

The firefighters also worked with crews from Berkshire, including Slough and Maidenhead on the two operations.