Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team retrieves stranded dog at Brean Down

Published: November 4, 2007
Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team retrieves stranded dog at Brean Down

A dog trapped on a rockface at Brean Down was successfully winched to safety by a team of Burnham-On-Sea Coastguards on Sunday afternoon (November 4th).

Woody, a four-year-old golden retriever, had become stranded near Brean Down Fort at 3pm after slipping down the cliff face and getting trapped on a ledge.

The dog's anxious owners, from Yeovil, dialled 999 on a mobile phone and Burnham's Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team was sent to the scene.

Coastguard Officer Dave Welham (pictured) said: "The dog had slipped down the rockface and lacerated its paws. It was stuck on a crevice at the foot of the cliffs and was unable to get back up."

Cliff Rescue Team member Craig Groves was lowered down the rock face on a rope to rescue the animal.

"The dog was very relieved to see him - a lead was put on him and he was lifted back up the rockface where his very emotional owners were delighted to see him," said Dave.

Coastguards have been called to Brean Down for several dog-related incidents in recent years - a greyhound was killed in a fall in March 2006 and a dog was successfully rescued in August 2005 (see links below).