A dramatic rescue operation in West Yorkshire saw firefighters, vets, and a determined owner come together to save a much-loved horse after he became trapped in a sinkhole.

Prince, a 27-year-old chestnut horse, had been enjoying a quiet walk in his favourite field on Saturday morning when the ground gave way beneath him, pulling him into the earth. His stable hand raised the alarm after realising the normally visible horse had vanished from sight.

A team from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) was quickly dispatched to the field in Mirfield, where they found Prince partially submerged but surprisingly calm. Cotton wool was placed in his ears, which were then covered, to keep him relaxed during the complex rescue.

With the help of Prince’s owner, Helen Tempest, local vets, and a nearby business that supplied machinery, the crew developed a plan. Using an excavator, they dug a shallow trench alongside the sinkhole to create a safe escape route. Four firefighters then attached ropes to gently guide and pull the elderly horse along the newly carved path.

Within an hour, Prince was free — standing safely on solid ground, completely unharmed despite the ordeal. His legs were a little numb from the strain, but after some brief care, he was walking again and later moved to a different field to recover.

Technical rescue officer and station manager Damian Cameron praised everyone involved, explaining that sinkholes can appear unexpectedly for a variety of reasons, from underground water to old mining activity. “We’ve dealt with similar cases in the past, often involving cattle,” he said. “In some situations, we’ve used slings to lift animals out, but for Prince we felt digging him out was the safest option.”

Owner Helen Tempest expressed her gratitude to the fire crew, describing the incident as “unbelievable.” She explained that Prince, her very first pony, had always been calm, steady, and trouble-free. “We couldn’t believe it when he got stuck,” she said. “This is a field he goes into every day. The fire crews were absolutely amazing — they arrived, took control, and worked so quickly and carefully with Prince. I really can’t thank them enough. He’s completely fine now and happily grazing in another field today.”

Station Manager Cameron also noted that this wasn’t the first equine rescue in the area. “Years ago, we carried out a rescue in nearby woodland where a horse was stuck in a ditch,” he recalled. “Because of that, the centre knew straight away to contact us when this happened.”

In the end, what could have been a tragic accident became a testament to teamwork, expertise, and compassion. Prince — a much-loved, elderly horse — is back where he belongs: safe, comfortable, and deeply cherished by the people who care for him.

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