A horse
trapped on a sandbar in a flooded Arizona river since Friday has been airlifted to safety.
Blindfolded and with cotton wool in his ears, a sedated Colorado was lifted in a harness by helicopter and flown clear of the flooded Gila River.
Eight-year-old Colorado had been trapped on the sandbar since a family outing nearly ended in tragedy on Friday.
A couple and their two children had thought the river was low enough to ride across, but got into trouble in the swifter-than-expected current.
One rider and horse made it out under their own power, but the three other riders ended up clutching to vegetation in the swift current for several hours awaiting rescue.
Two of the horses were also helped out in the rescue but one was euthanized after it was found to have a broken leg.
The fourth, Colorado, a quarter horse, was separated from his rider in the ordeal and fought his way to the sand bar.
Efforts to reach Colorado by boat across the swollen river had proved unsuccessful, and with the river remaining swollen, an airlift proved to be the only option.
Tearful owner Mark Eshenbaugh told local media: "I want to get him home. I'm so relieved. He's just like one of my kids."
Arizona Equine Rescue conducted the operation near Eagle Mountain Road in Buckeye near 222nd Avenue. It was funded by an anonymous donor.
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