The latest news as it happens from Canberra and the surrounding region.
Celebrating 50 years in partnership with our local producers
Local news from the Canberra region.
News and analysis of APS, ACT public sector and diplomatic corp policy, politics and people.
Collaboratively and competitively delivered across the nation
Thought-provoking pieces written by local Canberrans and community leaders.
Resolution of conflict within communities, workplace, families
Business and technology stories from the Canberra region.
Expert strata, facilities and building management services
Your one-stop destination for the latest Capital region property and real estate news.
Download the Zango property app today!
Sporting news from the ACT and Capital region.
The people, places, pets and passions that give our city life.
Where to eat, what to drink in the Canberra region.
We're open! Wed to Sun, 8 am to 6 pm
The stories behind the people and places that make Canberra what it is.
Download our game and help us free the poo
Music, festivals, charity events - everything that’s happening in the Canberra region.
The Outcome Matters Next Level Dentistry Next Level Outcomes
Police, firefighters, SES and vets care for the runaway racehorse after its escape in Queanbeyan on Monday. Photo: Queanbeyan Fire and Rescue.
Police said it was a miracle no-one was hurt on Monday, 5 September, when a racehorse escaped from the Queanbeyan Racecourse and bolted through a fence running towards busy Canberra Avenue.
The horse had just finished a race when it took off, eventually finding itself heading straight towards a metre high concrete crash and sound barrier. In its bid to stop, it slid sideways on to its back and found itself wedged between the barriers.
An officer from Queanbeyan Fire and Rescue Service, who was on his way home from work, was first on the scene just after 2 pm.
After calling for back-up, Monaro Police District, Bungendore State Emergency Service and Queanbeyan-Palerang Council crews along with vets from the Canberra Equine Hospital attended.
READ ALSO The last of Queanbeyan’s main road laneways is painted in memory of blacksmiths
The officer-in-charge at Monaro Police District, Inspector Keith Price, who was on the scene, said it was a miracle no-one, human or animal, was hurt in the incident.
“I’ve never seen anything like this before,” he said. “How that horse didn’t get hit by a car I don’t know.
“The horse got itself wedged between the two walls, it would only have been about a metre wide.”
He said, after initial investigation, the plan was to cut through the concrete barriers using specialist SES equipment from the Bungendore crew but then that was deemed impossible.
The horse is checked over after its ordeal on a busy avenue on Monday afternoon. Photo: Queanbeyan Fire and Rescue.
Inspector Price said, after discussing the situation with all the rescue teams and vets on site, it was decided to use a harness sling to lift the horse up.
By this time, he said, the horse’s trainer had arrived and the animal had calmed down enough for the vets to assess its condition. It was then sedated prior to the rescue attempt.
The sling used was designed to lift the horse out vertically, specifically for use in small spaces. Then a Queanbeyan-Palerang Council backhoe was used to lift the horse out and it was taken to nearby Queanbeyan Showground for a fuller examination.
READ ALSO: ‘Dangerous and foolish’: drunk-drivers caught by police
“It really was a fantastic team effort by all involved,” Inspector Price said. “Great communication all around.”
Bungendore SES Commander Peter Adrian, with deputies Jodie Durrant and Steve Crook, were also called in because of their Large Animal Rescue (LAR) training and equipment.
“It certainly was something to see this horse running though an urban area,” Mr Adrian said. “The fact it ran for about 2km up a dual carriageway, on the right side, was remarkable. How he got across Canberra Avenue, we’ll never know.”
He said he understood the horse had just finished a race when it was spooked by something at the track – and just took off.
Mr Adrian also attributed the success of the rescue to a joint effort by all the rescue services, saying the LAR training by the SES was invaluable in such situations.
In a statement on its Facebook page, the Queanbeyan Fire and Rescue Service also praised the teamwork shown, saying all crews worked together to help extricate the horse from the difficult position it had got itself into.
“After several hours the horse was released into the care of veterinary staff and, much to everyone’s surprise, was up and about walking later in the afternoon,” it said.
It was later treated for minor injuries by vets but reportedly was not seriously hurt.
Queanbeyan Ave was closed from about two hours until 4 pm while the delicate rescue operation was under way.
If NSW, Queensland, and Victoria want it, they should pay for it. Why should the federal government… View
Yes Canberra should be part of it. Also it continue to the alps. Make it far more accessible and… View
I can hear tuggeranong residents already coMplaining about it. View
You are right. I have seen several times where a car isn't sure what to do when turning left when… View
Adam Jovanovic to a point, yes. The elephant in the room is roads are primarily designed to optimise… View
They had them back in the 1970's, they were never used View
Still won’t get you up to Perisher in less than 2 hours on weekends in winter. Just ask the… View
They had better start building a four lane freeway from Canberra to Jindy NOW. The road is a death… View
Actually, looks like the bypass doesn’t affect that portion of the road at all. View
Paul Wyatt but they could ride their electric scooters in exchange View
Matthew, what bs, pretty soon Canberra won't be the bush capital, it'll be the unit/ apartment… View
Kirsty Smith yep sure is and now it's going to be houses View
Should Andrew Barr complete a fourth term as chief minister?
Subscribe to receive the latest local voices straight to your inbox.
Copyright © 2022 Region Group Pty Ltd ABN 85 168 887 232. All rights reserved.
the-riotact.com | riotact.com.cn | regionriverina.com.au | aboutregional.com.au | b2bmagazine.com.au | thisiscanberra.com | mygungahlin.com.au
Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.