Fortunately, Nicole’s daughter was able to get safety and call for help. Eventually, a rescue team and a veterinarian arrived at the scene. To stop Astro panicking, the veterinarian injected him with a sedative. Nicole stayed with Astro throughout his ordeal, talking to him to keep him calm. A helicopter was also called but couldn’t assist as Astro was stuck so deep in the mud that it was impossible to tie a rope around him to lift him to safety.
The rescue team struggled to free Astro, and Nicole began to fear the worst as the tide approached. The team tried to dig out the horse, but the ground, which had become like quicksand, was too soft.
Then, a farmer arrived at the scene on his tractor and a last ditch attempt was made to free the horse using a rope attached to his vehicle.
That’s when the miracle occurred — Nicole, the rescue workers and the farmer managed to free Astro from the mud.
Check out the dramatic rescue here:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=wG26cQPSlkM
Nicole has 10 horses and regularly rides them along the beach, but this was the first time one of her horses had got stuck.
Fortunately, everything went well this time, but this story shows it doesn’t hurt to be extra careful.
Above all, this story is proof of the incredible love between a human and his or her animals and that the bond between them can make miracles really happen!
Olympic runner hospitalized after being ‘set on fire by boyfriend’ following return from Paris games
Rebecca Cheptegei, an Olympic distance runner, suffered a 75% burn to her body during the ordeal.
According to authorities, a Ugandan athlete who lives in Kenya was burned by her lover and is currently undergoing treatment for 75% of her burn injuries. Distance runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who placed 44th in the 2024 Paris Olympics marathon with a time of two hours, 32 minutes, and 14 seconds, is said to have been attacked in her home in western Trans Nzoia County.
During a fight on Sunday (September 1), Dickson Ndiema, Cheptegei’s lover, bought a can of gasoline, poured it on her, and lit her on fire, according to Trans Nzoia police commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom.
Both Ndiema and herself are undergoing specialized care at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret City after Ndiema also suffered burn injuries.
Cheptegei’s parents said their daughter purchased land in Trans Nzoia so she could be close to the several sports training facilities in the county.
Before the fire started, the couple was heard fighting over the property where the house was erected, according to a report submitted by the local chief.
Local media sources report that Cheptegei’s condition is critical.
On social media, the Ugandan Athletics Federation (UAF) has addressed the issue.
“We regret to announce that our athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who competed in the Olympics, has suffered severe injuries and is hospitalized at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret,” the organization tweeted today (September 3).
People have subsequently offered their support for the Olympian as she heals from the traumatic incident.
“Wishing her a quick recovery,” one person wrote.
A second user expressed similar feelings, writing, “Sad to hear this. Wishing her a swift recovery.”
“There are no words. “Best wishes for her recovery,” said someone else.
A different person wrote, “This is so tragic.” I wish her a swift recovery and hope that she receives justice.
Sadly, Cheptegei’s case is not the first of its kind.
Damaris Muthee, a Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete, was discovered dead in 2022 after a post-mortem investigation revealed she had been strangled, while Agnes Tirop, a two-time World Athletics Championships bronze medalist, was found stabbed to death in 2021.
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