I should have added thanks to the very kind people of Kearsney or River (not sure which) who came to their rescue with blankets etc while they were waiting for the ambulance. Both are home and their other son is staying there for the holidays so they are not alone at all. They are both very fit for their age as they do a lot of walking which was why they were taking a constitutional after all the snow.
I always said exercise is bad for you.
If I have understood correctly the fox was being released from being tangled up in something but I have no idea where.