Paddy back safely in his stable in the Halfway, Ballinhassig being looked after by Lauren and Michael Crowley. They want to thank Kinsale RNLI for rescuing him and Anna Walsh for riding him out of the river to safety!

Paddy is back home following his dramatic river rescue by the RNLI

A CORK man has paid tribute to Kinsale RNLI for saving his horse from drowning following a dramatic turn of events.

Paul Crowley from Ballinhassig was up against the clock to save his horse Paddy after he became trapped in the framework of an oyster bed in the Bandon River last Sunday.

The father-of-two, who had been washing Paddy at the time, knew he had to act fast as the tide was turning.

His ten-year-old daughter Lauren, who was riding her horse Bailey, raised the alarm at a nearby equestrian centre.

Kinsale RNLI rode to the rescue of a horse named Paddy that got into difficulties in the Bandon River on Sunday. Pic: RNLI

A number of people rallied around to help before the volunteer lifeboat crew, Kinsale RNLI, was called.

“The RNLI had Paddy freed within three minutes with bolt cutters,” Paul said.

“A good crowd had gathered at that stage. The one bit of luck I had was that Paddy stayed calm throughout the whole process.”

He stressed that without Kinsale RNLI’s intervention Paddy would not be here today.

“I really thought I was going to lose him. It got to the point where the water was over his back and he was shivering. The girls in the water kept his head up and rubbed his back to keep him warm until he was freed.

“We brought Paddy back to Kinsale Equestrian Centre and put him under some heat lamps to warm him up for a half an hour.”

It wasn’t long before the story made it back to Paul’s wife Celia and 14-year-old son Michael.

“My wife heard of a horse that had gotten into trouble in the river. When we were already an hour late home she had guessed it was Paddy.”

After several attempts, Paddy was safely returned to the shore, much to the relief of his owners.

The former jockey’s horses — Milly, Bailey and Paddy — play a big part in his family’s life.

“They mean everything to my family,” he said.

He reiterated his gratitude to the RNLI adding:

“If it wasn’t for the RNLI we would have had no other way of getting Paddy out. The reason I’m even telling this story is to highlight the great work they do.”

Paul urged people to donate to the worthy cause. For more information, visit http://facebook.com/kinsale.rnli