An inquisitive cocker spaniel has been saved by firefighters after a dramatic two-hour cliff rescue.

Olive, who is 20 months old, was enjoying a winter walk in Chopwell Woods, Gateshead, with sister Daisy and their owners John and Fiona Preston when she suddenly disappeared.

After a frantic search of the area, John and wife Fiona, were suddenly alerted to a faint whining and, identifying it as Olive, attempted to follow her calls.

The Northern Echo: Olive the cocker spaniel Olive the cocker spaniel (Image: Contributor)

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The noise was coming from over the side of a cliff edge and, after descending 30ft to the riverbank, they looked up to find Olive precariously balanced on a ledge.

Retired GP John, 63, said: “We knew something was wrong when Daisy returned alone without Olive as they are normally inseparable. 

“Our fears were confirmed when Olive didn’t respond to the dog whistle. We looked at each-other and said ‘where is she’?

“We followed the whining along the riverbank but were extra careful as the water was fast-flowing and waste deep if we were to fall in. 

“Then, as the whining got louder, we looked up and could see Olive precariously perched on a cliff ledge.”

It soon became clear it wasn’t safe to climb up to the ledge, or edge themselves down from above, so they decided it was time to call for help.

Fiona called 999 and the Fire Control team at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service agreed to deploy a crew for the rescue mission on Saturday, December 3.

The Northern Echo: The rescue crew were deployed to help get Olive to safety The rescue crew were deployed to help get Olive to safety (Image: Contributor)

John said: “At one point we were so scared that the reality could be that we’d be going home without our Olive.

“With the constant whining we didn’t know if she was seriously injured from the fall.”

Fiona, 55, added: “We were running on autopilot and the adrenaline of the situation. We totally lost track of time.

“The firefighters were amazing. They kept John and myself in the loop and reassured us at every opportunity. We found out that most of them were dog lovers and could appreciate our concern.”

Firefighters from Swalwell Community Fire Station were later joined by a crew from Hebburn and the specialist rope rescue team from South Shields Community Fire Station.

By chance, the rope rescue team had been training in the same spot only two weeks previous to the incident, which meant that they knew how to approach the terrain.

The actual rope rescue itself took 45 minutes, which allowed the crew time to descend the cliff-face and find the terrified pooch. 

The Northern Echo: Olive was brought to safety after two hours on the ledge Olive was brought to safety after two hours on the ledge (Image: Contributor)

John added: “When the rope rescue team arrived we felt a massive sense of relief. We just wanted to know that Olive was alright and safe.

“Daisy also knew that something was wrong and that her best buddy was in distress.

“We were so grateful to the firefighters and relieved in the knowledge that Olive was safe.

“She was cold and muddy but back in our arms. Her heart was pounding out of her little chest. Daisy was also pleased to see her partner in crime.”

The Northern Echo: John and Fiona Preston with their dogs Daisy and Olive John and Fiona Preston with their dogs Daisy and Olive (Image: Contributor)

Station Manager Terry Griffin, of TWFRS, said: “On the evening of Olive’s rescue it was already very dark and the ground under foot was quite slippery so the firefighters had to be careful.

“Crews managed to pinpoint her location by using a thermal imaging camera, which then allowed a member of the rope rescue team to go over the ledge where the anxious animal was perched.

“Thankfully Olive was found unscathed and she was happily reunited with her owner. It was a successful rescue operation by our crews.

“We would always urge dog owners to use well-lit paths and grassland areas when embarking on their walking route especially in the winter months when weather conditions can be unpredictable.”

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