Lucky pup winched to safety after 60ft fall

Nov 5 2007 by Jule Wilson, The Journal

A PUPPY has been reunited with his family after falling 60ft off a cliff into the sea and surviving.

Lucky Monty, an eight-month-old Schnauzer, spent much of the weekend at the vet’s after the horrific fall on Thursday evening, but miraculously suffered only cuts and bruises.

His relieved owner Charles Erasmus explained: “I was out with the dog and a friend at Frenchman’s Bay, Marsden, South Tyneside and Monty was, as pups his age are, quite excitable to be out in the fresh air and able to run around.

“I only let him off the lead because it was getting tangled in a guard rail. It was one of those moments where I only turned my back for a second. I just am amazed Monty survived.”

Charles did not actually see his pet fall. He went on: “I could see him trying to get himself out of the water. He was really struggling but managed to push himself on to the rocks.”

Charles, of Bede Burn Road, Monkton, Jarrow, South Tyneside, borrowed a passer-by’s mobile phone to call the emergency services a coastguard was lowered to the dazed dog who was placed into a recovery bag and winched to safety.

Monty was detained at an emergency veterinary practice with suspected head and internal injuries, but is now back with his delighted owner’s daughter, six-year-old Myah.

Tynemouth's inshore lifeboat stood by during the incident, but had been unable to approach the scene of Monty’s rescue due to rocks. Assistance was also provided by South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade.

Volunteer RNLI crewman Alun Ross said: “We were amazed to find the dog alive and not visibly injured.”

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Lifeboat called out twice

TWO dramatic rescues took place within just hours of one another yesterday, and one man remains in critical condition in hospital after being found floating in the Wear in Sunderland.

The man was rescued by lifeboat shortly after 8.30am after a member of the public raised the alarm.

At noon, the lifeboat was called out again when a teenager dislocated his shoulder during a sailing competition. The 15-year-old was taken ashore where an ambulance transferred him to Sunderland Royal Hospital.