Pet dog 'vanished' into 32ft hole on Pen Pych mountain

Hollie was reunited with her dog, Indie, more than six hours after the spaniel fell 32ft (10m) down a hole

A woman has recalled how her pet dog "vanished" into a 32ft (10m) hole during a mountain walk.

Hollie Veryard was initially unsure of what had happened to Indie the spaniel on Pen Pych mountain, Rhondda Cynon Taf.

But the 31-year-old alerted rescuers after discovering her pet had fallen into a deep hole in the ground.

"It was very emotional when she came out," recalled Hollie.

The six-hour drama unfolded after the spaniel, which was unhurt, had been allowed off her lead.

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"I was calling and calling her but nothing happened and I knew she wouldn't run off because she's not like that," said Hollie from Verwood, Dorset.

She returned to where she realised Indie had gone missing and spotted several holes in the ground.

Other walkers tried to help, including one who "dangled" down the holes with someone holding him by the ankles, according to Hollie.

South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service helped the dog to safety

"We found she was down one of the holes, about 10 metres down just on a little ledge," said Hollie.

"She kept lifting her head up to look at me and would cry whenever she couldn't see me."

South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team carried out the rescue operation, involving South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, last Saturday.

"The crevice wasn't big enough for anyone to go down there so they made a little noose to fit around her and pulled her out," said Hollie.

She described the moment Indie came out as "emotional", adding: "The moment her feet were on the floor her tail was wagging."

South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team described the rescue as a "great team effort".