Race Against the Tide to Rescue Horse from Thames Foreshore
By Animals Correspondent
A horse has been safely rescued from the River Thames foreshore after it was put at risk by the incoming tide.
Gravesend RNLI was called by London Coastguard at around 1.20pm on July 19 following reports that a horse and its rider were in difficulty near Tilbury Fort.
The lifeboat was already out on exercise further up the river and reached the scene about 10 minutes later.
When the crew arrived, they found that the horse and the person with it were not stuck in the mud. However, the rising tide meant they were in danger of being cut off from the shore, with around an hour and a half before the area was expected to flood.
As the situation developed, the horse entered the water and began swimming against the tide.
Gravesend RNLI Duty Commander Stewart Challis said the lifeboat was used to carefully guide the horse back towards the shore.
The horse eventually reached the relative safety of Bill Melroy Creek, where the rescue operation continued.
The RNLI crew then worked alongside the horse’s owners, London Fire Brigade and specialist animal rescue teams to get the animal safely off the foreshore.
A proper harness was attached and the horse was persuaded up the steps and over the sea wall to safety.
With the horse, its owners and everyone involved safely away from the foreshore, the RNLI crew could finally return to the station.
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Mr Challis praised the way everyone involved worked together to bring the unusual rescue to a safe conclusion.
“The crew worked closely with the other emergency services and the horse’s owners to ensure everyone, including the horse, was brought to safety,” he said.
The lifeboat was made ready for service again by 3.20pm.
