Day-old foal rescued from Medomsley mine shaft

The newborn was so young she had not even been named when she plunged down the hole

A day-old foal was rescued by firefighters after it became trapped down a mine shaft in a field.

The young horse, which has not yet been named, had plunged down the hole in a field near Medomsley, County Durham, earlier.

Three crews from Consett and Bishop Auckland dug the hole wider and used a winch to raise the frightened foal.

Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service posted on Facebook that the rescue had been an "awesome effort".

It said: "Less than 24 hours old and yet to be named the foal was then reunited with her very relieved mother.

"Once she had been checked over by a vet they were both released back to into the field.

"An awesome effort from everyone involved."

Firefighters widened the hole to get to the foal

The hours-old foal was checked by a vet and reunited with her mother