November 21, 2009

Quick-thinking police and members of the public helped saved the life of an injured police horse in Sydney on Thursday evening.

The horse, named Wahoo, was badly injured when his leg became caught in a drain at Bankstown, in Sydney's south-west.

A female senior constable on Wahoo was issuing a ticket to an illegally parked vehicle in Jacobs Street about 7.15pm when the horse stepped back on to a steel drainage grate.

Wahoo's nearside hind leg slipped into the grate and became lodged. As a result, Wahoo fell on his side and began thrashing about in distress.

Police on patrol nearby and six members of the public immediately went to Wahoo's aid. They attempted to calm Wahoo and some lay on him in a successful effort to stop Wahoo from getting up, which could have made his injuries far worse.

Local vets arrived and sedated him.

Fire Brigades Rescue crews used ropes to stabilise Wahoo during the two-hour operation to free him from the drain. A large crowd gathered at the scene to watch the rescue effort.

Wahoo was treated for facial and leg injuries before being transported back to the Mounted Section's Redfern stables, where he is recovering today.

Mounted Section Commander Inspector Kirsten McFadden said Wahoo is now doing well.

"Wahoo suffered quite nasty injuries to his head and legs and looks a little worse for wear, but he's in good spirits and recovering well," she said.

"If it weren't for the quick actions of those police and members of the public at the scene, he would have suffered fatal injuries," McFadden said.

"To my policing colleagues and those members of the public who rushed to Wahoo's aid last night, I'd like to express my sincere gratitude," she said. "Without hesitation and fear for their safety they laid their bodies over Wahoo to calm and prevent further injury to him."

Wahoo had been taking part in an operation involving local police and specialist units targeting anti-social and criminal behaviour in and around the Bankstown central business district.