Dog rescue: Reggie saved after falling down 10ft crevice

A pup who was trapped down a 10ft (3m) crevice for 34 hours has been rescued.

Reggie the sprocker spaniel was enjoying his regular walk in Clydach forestry, Rhondda Cynon Taf, on Tuesday when he fell in.

The 11 month old was stuck until rescuers finally freed him at 01:00 GMT on Thursday.

Following Reggie's ordeal, family member Leah Davies said: "He's the kindest, loving little boy ever, he's my best friend, he's amazing."

Reggie was absolutely exhausted after being trapped for about 34 hours

The drama unfolded on Tuesday when Reggie started sniffing by the gap in the path.

"The next minute his bum was up in the air and he was down the hole," Leah said.

"He fell off the lip, fell down and we couldn't see him.

Everyone from locals to emergency rescue teams were trying to rescue the puppy

"I was absolutely petrified and felt so helpless because I couldn't do anything for him.

"He was whimpering, crying and very vocal."

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No one could fit down the "narrow gap", Leah says

A fire and rescue crew arrived about 30 minutes after Leah called at 15:00, but she said "there was nothing they could really do because of the complexity of the hole".

After failed attempts to rescue Reggie by manoeuvring down the hole to chip away at the ground, the decision was made to leave him overnight, with food being thrown down the gap.

"I was absolutely traumatised, I couldn't sleep that night I went home. Hearing him panting was awful, it was terrible," Leah said.

'He's out, he's out!'

Reggie was rescued at about 01:00 on Thursday

Leah says the whole experience "has been an absolute wow"

In a desperate plea for help, Leah took to social media which resulted in "the whole Rhondda community" bringing food and supplies to keep Reggie going.

Local business Drainforce brought camera equipment, which meant they were able to see Reggie for the first time since his fall.

With extra help from other volunteers, including one who brought ropes, they were able to reach Reggie and lift him to safety.

"Everyone was shouting 'he's out, he's out!'" Leah said.

"If it wasn't for the Drainforce guys we wouldn't have got him out.

"In the car on the way down (the mountain), his eyes were huge, his heart beat was really fast. I was feeding him water out of my hand."

Leah said Reggie was "absolutely exhausted" but quickly recovered.

"He was so excited to see us, rubbing against him. He was so happy," she said.

Reggie and his owner Dayne on their way to the vet

Reggie is recovering after his 34-hour ordeal

Leah said the scare made her think twice about venturing up the mountain again.

"Imagine you took your child up walking and that was your child," she said.

"The more people know about these crevices, the better."

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