A pre-dawn scramble by firefighters and deputies in unincorporated Marengo pulled a stranded horse out of swollen Coon Creek early Saturday, after overnight storms turned the waterway into a dangerous, fast-rising channel. Crews found the animal standing roughly 600 feet from the nearest shore, stuck on a small patch of higher ground as the cold water surged around it. A veterinarian on scene determined the horse was suffering from significant hypothermia, and it was quickly taken to a veterinary facility for continued care. One responder was hospitalized to be checked for cold exposure.
According to FOX 32 Chicago, rescue crews headed to the 22900 block of Anthony Road in the early morning after Coon Creek overflowed from the heavy rain. An initial team used a boat to reach the horse while additional firefighters waded in from the shoreline, escorting a veterinarian out to the narrow peninsula where the animal was marooned. Working together, the boat crew then guided the horse through roughly 15-feet-deep water toward a nearby roadway, where it was loaded for transport to a clinic.
Challenging, time-sensitive rescue
“It was a challenging and time-sensitive rescue, but we are pleased with the outcome,” Chief John Kimmel said in a statement reported by FOX 32 Chicago. The veterinarian on scene described the horse as having significant hypothermia, and crews worked carefully to move the animal without adding to its stress. One person who assisted in the operation was taken to a local hospital to be evaluated for cold exposure.
What residents should know
Coon Creek’s overflow is a pointed reminder of how fast local waterways can swell after a round of heavy rain, and how quickly people and animals can get into trouble. Officials are urging residents to steer clear of floodwater and to keep livestock and pets on higher ground whenever storms are in the forecast. For contact information and non-emergency station details, visit the Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts website or call their non-emergency line at 1-815-568-8912. Call 911 for any immediate life-or-safety emergencies.
