A much-loved dog is back home safe and sound after falling down a mine shaft in the Chewton Bushlands last Tuesday afternoon.
Castlemaine SES were first on the scene after reports came through that a dog had fallen into a deep shaft. After an initial assessment, the crew called in the CFA’s Oscar 1 Emergency Response Mine Rescue Brigade to take the lead on the technical rescue.
Oscar 1 members tested the air in the shaft and confirmed that breathing apparatus would be needed to complete the rescue – with Chewton CFA stepping in to supply the gear.
One of the Oscar 1 crew was safely lowered about 15 metres into the shaft, with Castlemaine SES’s steep angle rescue team providing support from above. The dog was carefully retrieved and reunited with its very relieved owner just before 4pm.
Castlemaine SES Section Lead Daniel Bone said this was a great example of emergency services working together.
“It’s not every day we get called to a mine rescue, and these can be challenging, so its great when the story has a happy ending,” he said.
The dog appeared uninjured, though a little shaken, and was last seen getting plenty of cuddles. A quick vet check-up is likely, but all signs point to a very lucky pup.
