Storm Gareth: Dog missing for 48 hours rescued from snowy mountain ledge
A dog missing for 48 hours in Storm Gareth has been rescued from a snowy mountainside by a helicopter crew.
The Inverness Coastguard helicopter crew spotted Ben by chance as they were out on a training exercise in the Cairngorms on Wednesday.
As two members of the team completed a winter training exercise on the ground near Loch Avon, the crew in the helicopter spotted Ben "terrified and cold" on a narrow ledge with a 200ft drop below.
After picking up their two fellow crew members, they returned to the spot and winched down to collect the stranded dog.
Here's a happy Ben 🐶 walking around after his 48 hour ordeal stranded in terrible weather in the #Cairngorms. Rescued whilst the Inverness Coastguard helicopter crew were out on essential winter training! #allsafe#trainingmatterspic.twitter.com/smCQinttQZ
— Maritime&Coastguard (@MCA_media) March 13, 2019
The crew flew Ben to a nearby outdoor training centre, from where he was quickly taken to a vet.
Amongst a week of sad news in our hills, we were so happy to give this little fellow a warm blanket and some food. Well done to all involved at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency! @MCA
Posted by Glenmore Lodge on Wednesday, March 13, 2019
According to the coastguard, Ben was "doing well" and had been reunited with his owner.