Firefighters work to free horse stuck in railings

A horse that got its head stuck in the handrails of a bridge was freed by firefighters using lifting equipment, with crews sharing images of the unusual operation.

Crews were called to the pedestrian crossing on Leek Road in Cellarhead, near Stoke-on-Trent, at about 9.30 BST on Tuesday.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters used a telehandler machine to lift the animal from its trap.

However, it emerged on Friday that despite the rescue operation, the animal had since been euthanised by a vet.

The fire service praised assistance from the community.

"I would like to say a huge thank you to Dalecrete who supplied us with the telehandler we used to lift the horse from the bridge," station manager Ant Ball said.

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