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Bender noticed the little girl crying at the end of the parade with a group of people gathered around her, when he investigated, Bender learned that she had dropped Fluttershy down the drain by mistake, sending her into a full meltdown.
The My Little Pony was about six feet below ground, dangerously close to being flushed downstream, said Bender. In order to help save the beloved toy, Bender flagged down Dutchess County Hazardous Materials Specialist Chris Johnson who had been driving the Dutchess County Hazardous Material Response Team truck in the parade for help.
Working together, the two attempted a rescue by removing the cover grate and Johnson attempted to lasso the five-inch pony from the drain. After several unsuccessful attempts, Bender then flagged down the ladder truck from JH Ketcham hose in order to grab their Little Giant ladder and use it so Johnson could get down to rescue the "pony."
Within ten-minutes of the first cry for help, Johnson emerged from the catch basin with a wet but otherwise healthy My Little Pony to the applause of the crowd of 20 or so onlookers, Bender said.The look of joy on the face of the little girl was well worth the efforts, he added.
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