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26th July 2019 TEAM RESCUE DOG FROM HIGH FELL
Mountain Rescue team rescue sheep dog from high fell.
Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team were called out yesterday evening to rescue a sheepdog which had fallen into a deep hole below the summit of Mickle Fell the highest point in County Durham.
Shepherd James Fletcher had been out gathering sheep with 2 dogs when suddenly 2 became 1!
After scouring the area, the dog, a 2 year old collie called Brooke, was located in a deep hole with an entrance of only about 1 and a ½ feet in diameter. The dog had fallen around 12ft onto the muddy floor of the hole. It wasn’t until later in the day that James realised he could not reach Brooke and so called the rescue team.
5 team members met with James and the Head Gamekeeper of Strathmore Estates, Andrew Dent and were led along a 5 mile track across Mickle Fell. The Team then transferred their kit onto an Argocat for the mile and a half journey across the fell to the incident site.
A rig was set up and the hole made larger by clearing away heather and moss making it large enough for a person to be lowered through.
After reassuring the dog and placing her in a bag for her safety both the dog nd her rescuer were hauled to the surface where Brooke was reunited with her owner, James, seemingly non the worse for her ordeal of being in a hole for almost 15 hours.
By the time the team left the fell it was 10pm and dark. Apart from being a little muddy everyone was very happy with the outcome.
Notes For Editor Teesdale
& Weardale Search & Mountain Rescue Team are affiliated to the "Mountain
Rescue - England and Wales". We provide a Search and Rescue service throughout
County Durham and beyond primarily for the Police but also for the other emergency
services. All Team members are volunteers and we rely on monies raised by ourselves
as a registered charity to run the Team. Further details regarding our latest
callouts and Team information can be found on our website www.twsmrt.org.uk
