Dog rescued after 30ft fall during Storm Boelo

A dog which fell 30ft (9m) down a hole during Storm Boelo is "back to normal" after being saved by mountain rescuers, its owner has said.

Freddie, a Cocker Spaniel, was out walking with owner Tom Hollingworth on Sunday near The Stang, a moorland ridge often considered the border of North Yorkshire and County Durham.

Freddie fell and disappeared into a concealed pothole at about 10:00 GMT, prompting a rescue operation after the dog failed to respond to its owner's calls and whistles.

"He was pottering about in some rushes next to me and he just never came out of the rushes," said Hollingworth.

Hollingworth, a 45-year-old tree surgeon who lives near Reeth, went to look for the dog and heard water gushing from a deep hole.

"I do know there's cave systems around there so I was 99% sure he'd gone down that hole," he said.

After driving to find mobile phone signal, Hollingworth was able to call the Swaledale MRT and asked for their help.

The MRT received the call at about 11:30 and sent five volunteers, with one entering the pothole using a rope system.

Hollingworth said he was "panicking" and "thinking the worst" while the rescue operation was under way.

"The guys were down the hole for quite some time, but then we could hear Freddie sort of yelping, so then we knew he was alive," he said.

Freddie was placed in a waterproof bag and hauled to the surface using a rope.

Hollingworth said he had feared his dog would be seriously injured, but Freddie was in better condition than expected.

The dog suffered several "nasty cuts", one of which required staples at the vet, but escaped without any broken bones.

"He just seems happier than ever, just back to normal," Hollingworth said.

Hollingworth thanked the Swaledale MRT volunteers, saying they were "very professional".

"I think without them yesterday, Freddie'd still be stuck down the cave," he said.

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