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Miracle rescue after horse falls down mine shaft in Far North Queensland

But emergency services and veterinary staff worked tirelessly through the rescue and recovery and about 7.30pm the horse – named Grey Dawn Cruizin’ – managed to stagger to his feet and walk down the mountain.

“He’s a very, very lucky horse,” Queensland Fire and Rescue Mareeba area director Greg Livingston told The Cairns Post.

“If animals have nine lives, I think he’s used up all of his.

“On two occasions (during the rescue) I thought he was a goner.

“When he came out he was so cold, even the breath from his lungs was cold.”

Yesterday’s drama was eerily similar to an incident in Geelong in February, when racecourse Astro was pulled from mud after rescue crews battled for three hours to free him.

Grey Dawn Cruizin’ had stumbled backwards into the shaft just before noon during a training endurance ride.

The shaft then collapsed, pushing the horse further into the mine as it struggled to stay afloat in deep water.

“Firstly, we tried to dig him out of the shaft but the mine was too narrow,” Mr Livingston said.

“Then we had to turn him around so his head was out of the water and he was using less energy.”

Eventually, fire crew members climbed down the shaft and managed to attach four slings under each limb of the horse and he was able to be hauled out with a backhoe.

Rescuers immediately wrapped the horse in blankets as it lay on its side, bleeding from the nose.

Owner Graeme Cameron, a breeder from Mackay, watched on throughout the incident and praised the rescuers.

“They have been fantastic,” he said.

“They refused to give up.

“He is very valuable, I really hope he pulls through.”

Mr Cameron was part of a group on a 40km training ride with the Far North Queensland Enduro Riders.

Rider Greg Fisher was leading the horse when it fell.

He had stopped for a bathroom break when the horse tried to walk
backwards.

“I tried to save him but he was just too heavy – he slid straight through my hands,” Mr Fisher said at the scene.