PICTURES: Distressed calls between mother and son alert rescuers to foal in a hole

Poor little fella - he must have been terrified.

Stuck tight

Calls between a foal who had fallen into a hole and his mother were overheard by the caretaker in a nearby school - leading to this dramatic rescue.

The foal fell down an open manhole in Co Meath after he wandered in behind some trees and stumbled. The hole was obscured by vegetation.

Luckily for him, the field backed on to a local school and the school caretaker was alerted by the frantic calls between the stricken foal and his distressed mother.

The alarm was raised and ISPCA Inspector Elaine Whyte rushed to the scene. Working with a local vet and volunteers, the rescue operation swung into action. Sections of fencing were removed to give access to the area and a digger was brought in.

Wouldn’t they get some shock if the foal climbed up that ladder? Just the way our mind works...

Straps were secured around the foal and he was slowly and carefully hoisted up through the small opening.

Hup!

Steady there now, fella

A veterinary exam revealed that he had no major physical damage so he was quickly reunited with his mother.

“This was an unfortunate accident” said inspector Whyte. "The hole was small and nearly impossible to see."

Further checks on the foal have shown that he is doing well and not suffering any ill-effects from his ordeal. The hole that he fell down has now been securely covered.

“I would like to thank all those involved in the rescue” added inspector Whyte. “Without their efforts, this positive outcome would not have been possible."

All's well that ends well…