WELLINGTON, New Zealand — A border collie named Molly has been safely rescued from New Zealand’s rugged wilderness after spending a week alone following her owner’s dramatic fall from a 180-foot waterfall.
The dramatic rescue unfolded after the injured hiker had to be evacuated without her beloved pet, who disappeared during the emergency response on March 24. The woman suffered serious bruises and cuts when she fell at the rocky waterfall location on New Zealand’s South Island West Coast.
Matt Newton, who operates Precision Helicopters New Zealand near the Hokitika Gorge close to the Arahura River where Molly vanished, refused to abandon the search effort.
“I contacted her in hospital and said I’d go for a look for it,” Newton explained. “I went and looked for the dog several times and no avail.”
Determined to continue the rescue mission, Newton and his family organized a crowdfunding campaign to cover additional flight time and specialized equipment. The community response was overwhelming, with complete strangers contributing more than 11,000 New Zealand dollars ($6,300) to support the search operation.
The donations funded three additional helicopter hours equipped with thermal imaging technology. Newton launched the renewed search Tuesday with a veterinary nurse, volunteer searchers, and a rescue dog named Bingo.
“We struck jackpot within about an hour,” Newton recalled. “As we made our way up the river, we could see the dog in the thermal and then we could visually see it.”
Molly was discovered disheveled and starving just meters from where her owner had miraculously survived the fall. Newton noted that the dog hadn’t been visible during his earlier searches of the waterfall area, leaving questions about whether she had also fallen or eventually found her way to the landing spot.
The helicopter descended low enough to allow a volunteer and rescue dog Bingo to approach Molly, helping to calm her and guide her to safety.
Newton believes Molly survived her ordeal by hunting wild animals during her week-long wilderness adventure.
“She knew what we were up to, I think,” he said. “She behaved real well. She didn’t run away and she was pleased to be rescued.”
Despite her week in the wild, the pilot reported that Molly was in “surprisingly good condition.” Newton radioed the helicopter base where additional volunteers had gathered to assist with the search. “Instead we just had a big barbecue and all had a cuddle with Molly.”
The emotional reunion came later that day when Molly’s owner, still recovering from her injuries, arrived to see her pet.
“I think that’ll speed up her healing process somewhat,” Newton observed. “Having your dog back, that’s for sure.”
