Horse Swept Away By Floodwaters Rescued After 8-Hour Fight For His Life

April 13, 2026

A beloved horse swept away by powerful floodwaters is alive today thanks to an incredible, hours-long rescue that brought together dozens of responders determined to bring him home.

Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts

Early Saturday morning, after overnight storms caused Coon Creek to overflow in McHenry County, Illinois, emergency crews were called to an unusual and urgent scene. A 20-year-old horse named Troy had been carried into the rushing water and left stranded far from shore, clinging to a small patch of land as the current surged around him.

When firefighters arrived, they found Troy roughly 600 feet from safety, surrounded by fast-moving water estimated to be about 15 feet deep in some areas. The conditions made a direct rescue impossible.

While Troy’s owner, Ashley Beaulieu, waited helplessly from a distance, crews began carefully planning their next move.

“It’s just really hard to see something suffering and your instinct is you just want to help it… you can’t just jump in to help him,” she said. “Everyone was going through different emotions trying to figure out what the next step is to help him.”

A first team used a boat to reach Troy, but this was only the beginning. Recognizing the complexity of the situation, additional help was called in, including specialized swiftwater rescue teams. A veterinarian was even transported across the creek to begin treating Troy on the spot.

Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts

Battling exhaustion and the effects of the freezing water, Troy was suffering from significant hypothermia. Still, rescuers worked steadily, administering medication and doing everything possible to stabilize him while preparing for the long journey back to shore.

For hours, the team coordinated every step with precision.

Finally, after nearly eight hours and with more than two dozen responders working together, Troy was carefully guided through the dangerous water and brought to safety. From there, crews worked side by side to move him up to the roadway, where he was loaded into a trailer and rushed off for further care.

The emotional reunion that followed made every second of the effort worthwhile.

Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts

Beaulieu’s family had rescued Troy 18 years ago, making the moment even more meaningful. At times during the ordeal, she feared the worst—but Troy pulled through.

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

The rescue effort also highlighted the power of teamwork, with local fire crews, specialized rescue units, and veterinarian Dr. Nicky Wessel all playing critical roles in saving Troy’s life.