Horse Airlifted To Safety After Falling Into Ravine Near Palm Springs

PALM SPRINGS (CBSLA.com) — Several agencies came to the rescue of a horse that became trapped in a ravine near Palm Springs.

The horses and owners on a volunteer mission to deliver equipment to clean up a hiking trail when three horses became stuck on the mountain and injured in Snow Creek, just outside of Palm Springs, Riverside Fire officials said.

Two horses, Mo and Spirit, fell down a steep cliff and were unable to get back to the riding trail. Mo suffered serious head trauma in an initial fall, then fell a second time down the ravine, Riverside County Department of Animal Services spokesman John Welsh said, and later died from his injuries.

The second horse, Spirit, was airlifted to safety, with the help of a Riverside County Sheriff's Department helicopter. The Riverside Fire Department's Horse and Animal Rescue Team and a veterinarian with San Bernardino Search and Rescue also assisted in the rescue.

(credit: Riverside Fire Department)

Spirit, however, became septic due to an injury he sustained during the accident, and his kidneys began to fail, according to Riverside Fire officials. He was later euthanized by a veterinarian.

The third horse was able to free itself prior to to rescue personnel arriving on scene.

The horses had fallen late Saturday, and the owners stayed overnight with the animals until there was enough light for a rescue, according to Animal Services.