Watch: US firefighters' daring rescue of trapped deer from frozen Washington lake
A deer was rescued after getting trapped on the frozen surface of Loon Lake in Washington. The now-viral video of the rescue earned a whole lot of praise from social media users.
Fire crews in Washington state carried out a delicate animal rescue after a deer became trapped on the frozen surface of Loon Lake in Stevens County.
According to a report by People, the incident took place on Tuesday, January 27, when a nearby resident noticed the distressed animal and called for help.
Local resident Daniel Poleschook told Storyful that he spotted the deer struggling to remain upright on the slick ice and quickly reached out to the Stevens County Fire Department (SCFD) for assistance.
As detailed in coverage by People, responders from Fire District No. 1 arrived at the lake prepared for a careful extraction. Firefighter Gavyn Gallagher ventured onto the frozen surface equipped with a stretcher and rope to reach the frightened animal. Initially startled, the deer attempted to move away but was unable to gain footing on the ice.
Gallagher ultimately secured a lasso around the deer’s body and, in a moment captured on video, abandoned the stretcher and lay flat on the ice, wrapping himself around the animal, so both could be safely pulled back towards the shore.
A clip of the rescue shows the deer appearing confused and crying out as the operation unfolds. However, as Gallagher’s fellow firefighters began drawing the pair toward stable ground, the animal visibly settles down, seeming calmer while being guided to safety in the firefighter’s embrace, People reported.
Watch the video here:
The successful rescue not only emphasised the dangers wildlife faced during severe winter conditions but also showed the compassion and quick thinking of first responders willing to risk their own safety to save a vulnerable animal.