Stowmarket footbridge removed after firefighters rescue horse and rider trapped in ditch, in Ernest Nunn Road

A footbridge was removed after firefighters rescued a horse and rider trapped in a ditch.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service was called to the incident beneath a wooden footbridge, in Ernest Nunn Road, Stowmarket, at 5.08pm yesterday.

On arrival, crews from Princes Street, Stowmarket, Bury St Edmunds and Elmswell found a horse stuck and a female rider with an injured ankle in the ditch.

Firefighters worked alongside a vet to sedate the horse before using specialist animal rescue equipment to release it safely from under the bridge.

The rider was cared for by the ambulance service before being taken to hospital.

A fire service spokesperson said due to the nature of the rescue, the wooden footbridge had to be removed.

Local authorities have been informed.

The incident was brought to a safe conclusion with no harm to the animal, they added.