Horse Rescue at Wells 9 July 2006

The rescue of a horse and two riders cut off by the tide in Holkham Bay on the West Side of Wells Harbour entrance was filmed from a police helicopter which happened to be working in the area at the time. The incident was also photographed from the beach by Phil Champion, who was visiting Wells on holiday and was one of the members of the public who dialled 999 to alert the coastguard to the riders' plight.

Our thanks to Mr Champion for his permission to reproduce his photographs here and to Norfolk Constabulary Air Operations Unit for permission to use the aerial images reproduced from the helicopter's video footage.

 

Cut-off by the tide	Around 200m from shore
From the beach	The ILB arrives
Crew left with horse	Riders brought ashore
Riders brought ashore	Horse led to channel
Swimming	Coming ashore
Coming ashore	Coming ashore
Coming ashore	Coming ashore
Coming ashore	Coming ashore
Coming ashore	Back on dry land

At 15.27 Yarmouth Coastguard requested an immediate launch to assist two horse riders who had become unseated and were cut off by the incoming tide on a narrow sand bar in Holkham Bay. One horse had made its own way ashore and the other was being held by the riders. The ILB was launched at 15.38 and the Argo set off along the beach with the LOM, his wife (an accomplished equestrian) and a crewman in a dry suit. On arrival at the scene the casualties could be clearly seen approximately 200m to seaward on a narrow strip of sand. Already on patrol in the area, a police landrover was in attendance and a police helicopter was circling above. The ILB picked up the two riders and headed to shore, leaving two crewman to hold the horse.

The ILB helm was briefed on the special requirements of the horse rescue by the LOM's wife, the plan being to gently lead the horse into deeper water and then to lead it swimming by its headcollar, held as far out as possible from a position well forward in the boat. Care had to be taken to avoid contact between the prop and the horse's legs and to avoid sudden movement or noise. The ILB manoeuvred into a position downtide and downwind, with the water covering the sandbank now nearly waist deep and then succesfully proceeded dead slow, matching the horse's slow swimming speed, back across the deep water to shore. It was the first time that the horse, "Cardy", had swum.

On reaching the shore the two horses were led back to the horse box by others and the riders returned to the boathouse in the Argo to warm up. The ILB returned by sea and was refuelled and ready for service at 16:40. The riders were then driven back to Lady Anne's Drive and help was given to load their horses and set them on their way home. Wind: WSW 4. Sea: Slight

Images taken from the beach copyright ©2006 Phil Champion and used with permission. Aerial images courtesy of Norfolk Constabulary Air Operations Unit and copyright ©2006 Chief Constable. These images may not be copied, downloaded, forwarded, reprinted or otherwise reproduced without the prior permission of the copyright holder.