UPDATED: Island firefighters are this afternoon (Sunday) assisting a horse in distress in Alverstone.
Crews from Sandown, Shanklin and Newport were called to Borthwood Farm off of Alverstone Road at 16:00 following reports of a horse in distress and stuck in mud.
The Animal and Water Rescue Unit from Newport and the 4×4 Land Rover Defender from Ryde were also called to the scene, which was some distance down a country lane.
It is understood the female horse gave birth to a foal this morning, however sadly lost the baby.
UPDATE @ 20:30 – Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of firefighters and a vet, the horse sadly died during the rescue.
