North Berwick lifeboat crews scramble to rescue dog walker who jumped into sea to save pet
A dog walker had to be rescued by lifeboat crews after she jumped into the sea at an East Lothian beach to save her beloved pet.
The woman had been walking with her three-year-old Weimaraner at Seacliff Beach at around 2pm on Saturday, February 7, when her dog jumped on to the harbour wall, slipped and plummeted into the water four metres below.
The dog walker climbed down a nearby ladder and entered the water, which the RNLI said was six degrees and covered in sea foam, to try and rescue her pet. But with the swell surging in and out of the small harbour, the woman soon found herself in difficulty.
A passerby called 999 while another person also entered the water to try to help.
Volunteers from North Berwick RNLI arrived on the scene 11 minutes later and, after assessing the difficult sea conditions, made the decision to carry out a beach landing at Seacliff Beach and make their way to the scene on foot.
When they arrived on the beach, it was confirmed that members of the North Berwick Coastguard Rescue Team were on the scene and had pulled the two people from the water. It was also confirmed that a member of the team had their hands on the dog, but that she was still in the water.
Lifeboat volunteers provided care to the dog walker and passerby, who were cold but unharmed, and also helped rescue the dog from the water using an animal rescue bag. None of the casualties required any further treatment.
Matthew Gibbons, lifeboat helm, said: “Thankfully this rescue had a positive outcome, though the conditions certainly made it a challenge. We fully understand the emotions involving dogs, but if you see a dog in difficulty at the coast, we urge you to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard immediately.
“Move to a place the dog can get to safely and call them – they might be able to get out themselves. Don’t try and enter the water to help, all too often that leads to tragedy, await for the arrival of the emergency services. We’d like to thank the members of the public who assisted the dog and owner and stayed with them until all had been recovered.”
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