Firefighters Rescue Horse from Well After Hours-Long Operation

Utenos Firefighters stage Dramatic horse Rescue

What started as a routine call for the Saldutiškio team of the Utenos District Fire and Rescue Service quickly escalated into a heart-pounding rescue mission when they arrived to find a horse trapped in a well. Recognizing the severity of the situation, they instantly requested backup from the Utenos Fire and Rescue Service.

A Delicate and Perilous Rescue

“When we got there, all we could see was the horse’s head poking out of the water-filled well, and access was extremely limited,” recalled Vidmantas Valaitis, platoon commander at Utenos PGT. “The wooden cover had rotted, and the horse had fallen in hind-frist. Lifting a 600-kilogram animal from such a narrow space was incredibly arduous, especially since the horse was panicking and thrashing around.”

The rescue team encountered several obstacles. Located in a low-ceilinged sheep barn, the well’s narrow width made it nearly unachievable to encircle the distressed animal. attempts to lift the horse with straps failed as it kept slipping backward. Binding the horse by it’s legs or head was also out of the question due to its weight. ultimately, the team had to resort to a combination of manpower, a lever, and a winch to finally free the frightened animal.

The entire rescue operation took over an hour and required the combined efforts of ten firefighters.

A Shaken but Recovering Horse

Once rescued, the horse lay shivering for some time before finally managing to stand. “He was trembling, so I told the owner to cover him with a blanket,” recounted Valaitis. “I also advised him to call a veterinarian, who recommended keeping the horse covered and walking it around to prevent pneumonia, as it was unclear how long it had been submerged.The owner had been

Horseshoe Heroes: Lithuanian Firefighters Rescue Horse from Well

Lithuanian firefighters demonstrated their commitment to rescuing animals in distress, recently pulling a horse to safety from a deep well.The remarkable rescue involved firefighters from the Utenos region, a team known for their dedication to helping animals in need.

The incident occurred when a horse wandered away from its stable and stumbled into an abandoned well.Villagers discovered the horse’s predicament when they noticed only its head protruding from the well’s opening. Concerned locals immediately contacted the Utenos firefighters, known for their history of animal rescues.

“The horse had been missing for a while, only returning to the barn during the day,” explained Irmantas Valaitas, a firefighter involved in the rescue. “they were looking for the horse and only noticed its head sticking out of the well later. to the best of my knowledge, horses are very delicate creatures, susceptible to everything.”

The firefighters carefully lowered a harness into the well and secured it around the distressed animal. With coordinated effort, they slowly lifted the horse from its precarious position. The operation required patience and vigilance to ensure the horse’s safety throughout the rescue.

This isn’t the first time the Utenos firefighters have answered the call to save animals in peril. Their past rescues include a cow trapped in mud, a deer that had fallen into a pit, and numerous kittens stranded in trees. “There’s a special feeling of satisfaction when you rescue an animal,” shared Valaitas. “It’s a different kind of reward compared to extinguishing a fire, even though peopel express their gratitude. it’s a joy that comes from deep within.”

Creating Empty Files:

both Command Prompt (CMD) and PowerShell, command-line interfaces on Windows, offer ways to create empty files.

Using Command Prompt (CMD)

To create an empty file using CMD, follow these steps:

1. Open Command Prompt by pressing Win + R, typing cmd, and pressing Enter.
2. Navigate to the desired directory using the cd command. For exmaple: cd C:usersYourUsernameDocuments
3. Use the command type nul > filename.txt to create an empty file named “filename.txt”. Replace “filename.txt” with your desired file name and extension.

Using PowerShell

Here’s how to create an empty file using PowerShell:

1. Open PowerShell by pressing Win + R, typing powershell, and pressing Enter.
2. Navigate to the desired directory using the cd command as in CMD.
3. Utilize the New-Item -ItemType File -Name "filename.txt" command to create an empty file named “filename.txt”. Remember to replace “filename.txt” with your desired name and extension.

Both methods effectively create empty files. PowerShell offers a more structured approach with clearer syntax. Though, CMD remains a reliable and basic tool for windows users.

Need an Empty File? Here’s How to create one on Windows

Whether your a seasoned developer or just starting out, there might come a time when you need to create an empty file on your Windows machine. Maybe you’re setting up a project structure, testing a script, or simply need a placeholder. Whatever the reason, it’s a surprisingly easy task.

Two Simple Methods

Luckily, windows gives you a couple of straightforward ways to accomplish this. Let’s explore both:

Method 1: using Notepad

This method is incredibly user-friendly and requires no special knowledge.Simply follow these steps:

1. Open Notepad. You can find it by searching for it in the Windows search bar.
2. Don’t type anything! Just leave the Notepad window blank.
3. go to “File” in the menu bar and select “Save As”.
4. Choose a location where you want to save the empty file.
5. Give your file a name, making sure to include the appropriate file extension (.txt,.html, etc.).
6. click “save”.

#### Method 2: Leveraging the Command Line

if you’re comfortable using the command prompt, this method is speedy and efficient.Here’s what to do:

1. Open the command prompt. You can do this by searching for “cmd” in the Windows search bar.
2. use the following command, replacing “example.txt” with your desired file name and path if necessary:

new-Item -Path . -Name "example.txt" -ItemType "file"

This command creates an empty file named “example.txt” in your current directory.

Which Method Should You Choose?

Both methods are equally effective. If you’re more comfortable with a graphical interface, Notepad is a great option. if you prefer the power and versatility of the command line,go for the “new-Item” cmdlet. Ultimately,the choice is yours!

For a more in-depth clarification and additional examples,check out this comprehensive guide on Lindevs.

What motivated Vidmantas and his team too rescue the horse from the well?

Interview with vidmantas Valaitis,Platoon Commander at Utenos Fire and Rescue Service

By Archyde News

Archyde: Thank you for joining us today,Vidmantas. Yoru recent rescue of a horse trapped in a well has captured the attention of many. Can you walk us through what happened that day?

Vidmantas Valaitis: Thank you for having me. it was certainly a challenging day. We received a call about a horse trapped in an abandoned well in a sheep barn. When we arrived, we could only see the horse’s head sticking out of the water. The well was narrow, and the wooden cover had rotted away, causing the horse to fall in hind-first. The situation was dire—the horse was panicking, and the space was too tight to maneuver easily.

Archyde: That sounds incredibly tough. What were the main challenges you faced during the rescue?

Vidmantas Valaitis: The biggest challenge was the well’s narrow width and the horse’s size. The animal weighed around 600 kilograms, and it was thrashing around, making it nearly impossible to secure it with straps. We tried several methods, but the horse kept slipping backward. We couldn’t bind its legs or head as of its weight and the risk of injuring it further. Ultimately, we had to use a combination of manpower, a lever, and a winch to lift the horse out safely.

Archyde: how long did the rescue operation take, and how many firefighters were involved?

Vidmantas Valaitis: The entire operation took over an hour. It required the combined efforts of ten firefighters. We had to work carefully and methodically to ensure the horse’s safety. Every move had to be precise to avoid causing further distress or injury.

Archyde: What was the condition of the horse after it was rescued?

Vidmantas Valaitis: The horse was understandably shaken. It lay shivering for some time before it could stand. we advised the owner to cover it with a blanket and call a veterinarian instantly. The vet recommended keeping the horse warm and walking it around to prevent pneumonia,as it was unclear how long it had been submerged in the water.

Archyde: This isn’t the first time your team has rescued animals. Can you tell us about some of your other experiences?

vidmantas Valaitis: Absolutely. Our team has a history of animal rescues.We’ve saved a cow trapped in mud, a deer that fell into a pit, and even kittens stranded in trees. Each rescue is unique and presents its own set of challenges. But there’s a special feeling of satisfaction when you save an animal. It’s a different kind of reward compared to extinguishing a fire. People express their gratitude, but the joy comes from deep within—knowing you’ve made a difference for a living being.

Archyde: What motivates you and your team to take on these challenging rescues?

Vidmantas Valaitis: For us, it’s about compassion and duty. Animals can’t call for help themselves,so it’s up to us to step in. We see it as part of our responsibility as firefighters—to protect and save lives, whether they’re human or animal. The gratitude from the owners and the knowledge that we’ve made a difference is incredibly rewarding.

Archyde: Do you have any advice for people who might find themselves in a similar situation with an animal in distress?

Vidmantas Valaitis: The most critically important thing is to stay calm and call for professional help immediately. Trying to rescue an animal on your own,especially a large one,can be dangerous for both you and the animal. Provide as much information as possible to the rescue team, and keep a safe distance until help arrives.

Archyde: Thank you, Vidmantas, for sharing your story and for the incredible work you and your team do. We wish you continued success in your missions.

Vidmantas Valaitis: Thank you. It’s an honor to serve and make a difference in our community.

End of interview

This interview highlights the bravery and dedication of the Utenos Fire and Rescue Service, showcasing their commitment to saving lives—both human and animal. Their work is a testament to the power of teamwork, compassion, and perseverance.