Dog saves farmer trapped in woods

Aug 4 2008 by Brian Daniel, The Journal

A PENSIONER who became stuck in bushes for over 13 hours was found by a search and rescue dog after a full scale manhunt.

Malcolm Gomme-Duncan, 76, of Greensfield Moor Farm, near Alnwick, became entangled in thistles, nettles and brambles after going for a walk near his home at 7pm on Saturday night.

His wife Frances, 59, and stepson Charlie, 29, conducted their own search, when he had not returned by 11pm.

Mr Gomme-Duncan was uncontactable as he had left his mobile phone at home.

The family rang police amid concerns that Mr Gomme-Duncan, who had also gone out without a coat, might have fainted because of an existing medical condition, and suffered serious injury.

A search was carried out from 7am yesterday involving police, the force helicopter and around 25 volunteers from the Northumbria Search and Rescue Service.

Mr Gomme-Duncan was eventually found at 8.30am by four-year-old border collie Hamish. It was the dog’s first find since qualifying as a search and rescue animal last October.

The pensioner was taken home to his relieved family, who had endured a sleepless night. He was unharmed except for nettle stings and insects bites. Mr Gomme-Duncan, who regularly goes for walks of up to three hours, last night told how he followed a path which “fizzled” out. He found himself in undergrowth above head height and beside a burn. He fell several times.

In fact he was close to the A1 and a stone’s throw from home when found.

The family, who are originally from Scotland, paid tribute to those who helped.

The retired farmer recalled the moment he was found, saying: “I was delighted and I congratulated Hamish. I heard him being addressed by his handler, I knew there was a dog coming and his handler. The way they found the right place is amazing.

“I am extremely grateful and also very impressed. All the very kind people who came to the rescue were terrific.”

Frances, a retired nurse, added: “We are deeply deeply indebted to all. The speed at which they reacted. They were all just so pleasant and kind and thoughtful.”

She told how she and Charlie had feared the worst.

Frances said: “I did not expect to see him alive. I was demented by the fact that he was lying somewhere in agony.”

Hamish’s handler, Peter Thompson, 52, who lives at Blackmill Hall, Hexhamshire, bought the dog for search and rescue. The volunteer paid for Hamish’s training and the animal lives with him. “I am particularly pleased, not just for the dog but for the organisations that support it.”