Runaway donkey ends up in swimming pool

O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo…? Trapped in a swimming pool and being rescued by firefighters is not the line you expect next. But this was the saga that unfolded in a quiet Norfolk village when a donkey named after the famous Shakespeare character escaped from his paddock. Romeo's owners spent several hours looking for the errant equine after he made a bolt for freedom early yesterday.

Tim Hirst and his partner Rachel, from Mundham, near Loddon, scoured the local fields and roads after discovering Romeo had gone missing at about 3am, but there was no sign of him. It was not until about 9.30am that the donkey was found trapped in a swimming pool at a farm in the neighbouring village of Thwaite. It is thought he could have been in the pool for several hours after stumbling onto the blue cover and falling through.



A rescue operation promptly got underway and three fire crews from Norwich rushed to the scene. They freed Romeo using equipment borrowed from a farm opposite and the weary, but seemingly uninjured, donkey is now recovering at home. Mr Hirst described Romeo, who is about 35-years-old, as a “character” and a much-loved pet.

“When I went up to the farm there were three or four fire engines and there were various people helping to keep Romeo's head above water,” he said. The local farmer opposite came round with a teleporter and the fire brigade put straps around Romeo and lifted him out. The fire brigade did a great job. They got him out and he stood on his own feet. I think the worst part was walking him back home half a mile - it took me the best part of an hour.”