Dog and its owner are rescued after pet slips down steep bank
A dog and its owner were led to safety by firefighters after the pet slipped down a steep bank in woodland.
A team of 10 went to Lloyds Meadow off Birbeck Drive, Madeley, after reports that a woman was stuck on a ledge.
The woman, believed to be in her 60s, was walking her pet with a friend when it slipped down the bank and came to rest on a ledge.
She managed to reach the animal, but was unable to climb back up to the footpath.
Gareth Walker, crew manager at Telford central fire station, took part in the rescue which happened at about 10.30am yesterday along a track which leads to Ironbridge Gorge.
"The lady was walking her dog when it slipped over the bank," said Mr Walker.
"She was able to get down to the dog, but it is not easy to climb back up. It's quite a steep drop. She was down there for about an hour before we got there.
"Her friend was trying to get help, but there was no-one else around for quite some time. Another lady dog walker came across them and dialled 999 for us to come and help get her up.
"She couldn't have held on for much longer by the time we arrived. We had got harnesses to use, but because she was struggling to hang on to the ledge we didn't have time to get those out. We had to act quickly and used an extension ladder and rope to reach her.
"We couldn't even see her at first because the shrubs and bushes were blocking our view, but she kept calling out to make it easier for us to find her," he said.
"I went a bit further along the path and down into the woodland to get to her.
"I had to climb up to the ledge where I took the dog from her then held on to her to stop her from falling, as it would have been about a 30-foot drop if she came off there.
"My colleagues then lowered the ladder and the rope which she held on to, to climb back up the embankment. We put the dog in the empty rope bag to warm him up. Both were unhurt.
"The lady was very grateful to us and a little embarrassed for having to be rescued. We would advise people to carry a mobile phone if possible when they are out walking in case they get into difficulty," said Mr Walker.
