Troy the Horse Rescued After 8-Hour Flood Fight in Illinois

A beloved horse swept into raging floodwaters during an Illinois storm is alive today because dozens of rescuers refused to give up during an eight-hour battle to save his life.

Early Saturday morning, after overnight storms caused Coon Creek to overflow in McHenry County, emergency crews received an urgent call. Troy, a 20-year-old horse, had been carried into the rushing water and was stranded 600 feet from shore, clinging to a small patch of land as 15-foot-deep currents surged around him.

When firefighters arrived, the fast-moving water made a direct rescue impossible. Troy's owner, Ashley Beaulieu, could only watch from a distance as crews carefully planned their approach.

"It's just really hard to see something suffering and your instinct is you just want to help it," Beaulieu said. "You can't just jump in to help him."

A first team used a boat to reach Troy, but that was only the beginning. Recognizing the complexity of the situation, firefighters called in specialized swiftwater rescue teams and a veterinarian who was transported across the creek to begin treating Troy on the spot.

Battling exhaustion and freezing water, Troy was suffering from severe hypothermia. Rescuers worked steadily for hours, administering medication and doing everything possible to stabilize him while preparing for the dangerous journey back to shore.

After nearly eight hours, more than two dozen responders working together carefully guided Troy through the water to safety. From there, crews moved him up to the roadway, loaded him into a trailer, and rushed him off for further care.

Sunny's Take

The reunion between Troy and his family made every second of the grueling effort worthwhile. Beaulieu's family had rescued Troy 18 years ago, making the moment even more meaningful.

At times during the ordeal, Beaulieu feared the worst. But Troy pulled through with the help of local fire crews, specialized rescue units, and veterinarian Dr. Nicky Wessel, all working as one team with a single mission.

By Wednesday, Troy was back home on the farm, recovering and surrounded by the people who love him.