PHOENIX -- Authorities successfully airlifted a stranded horse off a sandbar to the banks of the Gila River on Tuesday morning, KPHO-TV reported.

The 8-year-old quarter horse, named Colorado, had been stuck on the sandbar since Friday afternoon, when rushing water swept him and two other horses -- and their riders -- away as they tried to cross the river.

One horse and rider pair made it to the shore, authorities said. The other three riders were safely rescued.

Rescuers also saved one of the horses. A second had to be euthanized because of a broken leg, and Colorado reached the sandbar, where he remained until Tuesday morning.

In order to airlift Colorado from the sandbar to the river bank, rescuers strapped him to a specially made harness, put blinders on so he could only see in front of him, and attached a long line to lift him off the ground.

He was sedated prior to the rescue.

The helicopter then lifted him off the sandbar and took him for a brief ride to solid ground.

According to Sherry Butler, a spokeswoman for Arizona Equine Rescue, an anonymous donor paid for the harness and the helicopter from Airwest Helicopters.