New Year firework spooks dog - sparking coastal rescue
There was a dramatic end to the year for the Coastguard team at Berwick.
Just as members were preparing to welcome in the New Year, their pagers sounded to say a dog had gone over the cliffs at Spittal.
The Jack Russell Terrier, named Dave, had been spooked by a firework around 9pm on Hogmanay.
It had already been the busiest year yet for the Northumberland volunteers - with 80 call-outs recorded before the latest alarm was raised.
But they were quickly on scene - supported by their colleagues from Eyemouth Coastguard team.
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Taking up the story, a spokesperson said: "We located the owner of the dog and were able to pinpoint Dave's exact location - as he thankfully had a tracker attached to his collar!
"We sent a team onto the beach to try and locate Dave, and he was swiftly found at the base of the cliff, shaken and no worse for his ordeal other than minor grazes to his paws.
"Once back to the cliff top, Dave was re-united with his owner and was away home to recover.
"A happy ending to our year, and also for Dave's family who will no doubt be thankful for his safe return home."
With the Coastguard team in Eyemouth also recording more than fifty call-outs this year, all the volunteers will be hoping for a quieter start to 2024.
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