Boy Jumps Into Freezing Canal To Rescue Drowning Horse

A boy jumped into a freezing cold canal to save a horse from drowning, holding its head up for more than hour until help arrived.

Thirteen-year-old Cameron Martin has been called a 'little hero' after he leapt into a canal on a Norfolk Broads' farm when he spotted Domino the horse.

Cameron, from Lowestoft, used all his strength to hold the horse's head up and shouted out for help.

Cameron said: "I was walking up to my field to see my pony when I noticed one of the owner's horses wasn't where it normally is.

"I panicked, and then my first thought was to check the dyke. I saw it in the water trying to force itself under. I just did what I had to do."

Wessex News Agency

Heroic Cameron spent an hour trying screaming for help, which eventually arrived and machinery was used to hoist Domino out the water.

Cameron added: "I was so exhausted afterwards that I slept for 24 hours, woke up for five and then went back to sleep for 22 more."

Meanwhile, Domino was taken off for a hot bath and a rub down.

Tanya Docwra-Smith, who was looking after Cameron at the time, said: "We'd seen Cameron gesticulating on the side of the dyke from afar but honestly had no idea what he was doing.

"He kept jumping back in the water and out again. It was all very scary.

"It turned out he was literally keeping Domino's head out of the water to stop him from drowning.

Wessex News

"But Cameron knows how to handle horses so well he'd had the sense to get on to the side of the dyke every so often to jump around and wave his hands in an effort to get our attention.

"He knew leaving the horse for a second would have led to its death.

"The scene was horrible - the horse had weeds trapped under its nose and it was clearly in pain.

"Cameron was freezing and distraught, but he was adamant that we save the horse's life."

She said Domino's owner, Paul Williams, was 'immensely grateful' to Cameron and called him a 'little hero'.

Tanya continued: "Not even an adult would have the guts to do what he did.

"He and the horse have bonded after this. When the horse stands at one side of the dyke and Cameron is at the other side, Domino gives him a little whinny."

Topics: UK News, Animals

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19