[an error occurred while processing this directive]
BBC News
watch One-Minute World News
Last Updated: Monday, 1 November, 2004, 20:52 GMT
Cliff plunge dog's lucky escape
Isla
Isla went missing on a walk with her owner
A dog which was pulled to safety 30 hours after she fell more than 160ft down a sheer cliff face near Aberdeen is lucky to be alive, rescuers said.

Cocker spaniel Isla had a cut lip and a few missing teeth when she was rescued by a coastguard team in treacherous conditions.

Owner Anne McNair admitted she feared that her pet was dead - and said it was "fantastic" when she was rescued.

Coastguard Derek Donald said Isla was "an extremely lucky dog".

He said the area where she landed was being hit by waves of up to 15ft.

Cliffs
The cocker spaniel plunged more than 160ft down cliffs
"The ledge she was on, at high tide with waves that high coming in - she would not have made it to morning," he said.

Mrs McNair said Isla had disappeared while she was taking her two dogs for their usual afternoon walk at Newtonhill.

"The dogs ran into the bushes as spaniels do. Hamish came back out and Isla didn't," she recalled.

Anne and her husband gave up their search when darkness fell and called the emergency services the following day.

Isla was rescued after a coastguard volunteer was lowered to the base of the cliffs.


RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites


PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia
UK | Business | Entertainment | Science/Nature | Technology | Health
Have Your Say | In Pictures | Week at a Glance | Country Profiles | In Depth | Programmes
Americas Africa Europe Middle East South Asia Asia Pacific