Unusual Rescue for Search & Rescue Team

Teesdale & Weardale Search & Rescue Team were called out to one of their more unusual rescues on Sunday afternoon. Three sheep had been reported by a dog walker stuck on a ledge 10mts up a quarry face in Bollihope Quarry, Frosterley, Weardale Co. Durham. The sheep had been on the ledge since at least Saturday morning. Durham & Darlington Fire & Rescue Service attended on Saturday evening and after consulting with the farmer and the RSPCA it was decided to leave the sheep overnight to see if they could get down themselves. The sheep were still on the ledge on Sunday morning so it was decided to call out the Search & Rescue Team later in the day to recover the sheep.

Team Controller Adam Hearn said "When we arrived two of the sheep had disappeared, we can only assume they managed to get down safely themselves. Unfortunately a lamb did not have the same courage so we needed to recover it. Two team members were lowered to the ledge and after some difficulty managed to catch the lamb, secure it to a harness and then the rescuer and the lamb were lowered to the ground. After a quick check the lamb seemed non the worse for wear and wanded off. We even got a round of applause from the sizable crowd who had gathered to watch.

Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3, Photo 4

Steve Owers
Press Officer
Teesdale & Weardale Search & Rescue Team

30/07/06 18.00hrs

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