Real-life Lassie leads rescuers to injured owner
THEY say a man’s best friend is his dog – and a loyal spaniel proved it last week by leading rescuers to his stricken owner.
The real-life Lassie story took place after police and lifeboat crews were called out to search for a missing man on a cliffside near St Cyrus, Aberdeenshire, late on Thursday night.
After initial efforts to locate the walker proved unsuccessful, the search and rescue officers made the unusual decision to take his dog for a walk.
The clever canine, found sitting obediently by its owner’s car, led the team along various paths before stopping and peering over the edge of a 100ft drop.
At first nothing could be seen and the rescuers moved on. But when the dog, named Ben, brought the rescuers back to exactly the same spot and sat down, they knew he was on to something.
They scoured the area again, and the 56year-old casualty was spotted on the beach below. Believed to be from the local area, he was airlifted to safety by an RAF rescue helicopter around 1.30am on Friday and taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
He had suffered injuries during the fall but, thanks to his four-legged companion, he was spared a night stranded outside in the cold and quickly received the necessary treatment.
A coastguard spokesman said: ‘Man’s best friend proved to be an invaluable asset when searching for his master.
‘Two rescue officers, both dog owners themselves, allowed Ben to take them and two police officers on a purposeful wander.
‘Ben led officers along various paths, passing many intersections before deciding to sit down and look off the edge of the cliff. After he was allowed to survey further parts of the cliff path, Ben took coastguard rescue officers and police directly back to the first location, where he halted again.
‘Well done to Ben and all those involved!’