Rescue drone spots stranded dog on hill
A dog miraculously survived being stranded on a ridge – hundreds of feet up a hillside above Crianlarich.
Mist, a 10-year-old Collie, became stuck on a ridge in Glen Falloch on Thursday, October 24, after a fall.
A search was conducted to locate Mist, however the rescue had to be suspended as a result of fading light and reduced visibility.
The search was recommenced the following day and a drone pilot from the newly-formed Search and Rescue Aerial Association (SARAA) Scotland was called in to assist.
Although the dog could be heard barking above, it could not be seen by the rescue teams assembling at the foot of the crags.
SARAA said:“The weather was generally poor, but a short weather window opened up allowing the drone to fly. Once in the air, the sensor operator quickly located the stranded dog within around five minutes of the drone becoming airborne. This allowed the MRT to ascend the face by rock climbing to rescue the dog.
“The use of the search and rescue drone avoided a prolonged search on steep and hazardous ground by the mountain rescue team.”
SARAA-Scotland drone teams deploy in pairs – a pilot who concentrates on flying the drone safely and a sensor operator who concentrates on the search activity.
In the drone footage, the dog blends in with the background of the mountain making it almost impossible to spot with the naked eye. The sensor operator noticed slight movement in the steep mountainside and zoomed in, locating Mist.
The crew members were called back to Glen Falloch on Saturday, November 2, following reports of an injured walker who sustained a serious leg injury.He was carried off the climb by team members and taken to Forth Valley Royal Hospital by ambulance.