A Jack Russell-cross named Rose has been successfully rescued after being trapped underground for seven days in a cave near Halifax, West Yorkshire. The harrowing incident began on Thursday, September 26, when Rose slipped through a narrow 12-inch gap in the rock face off Dudley Crescent in Mixenden.
Initial rescue efforts by the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service were quickly halted after officials determined that the crevice was too narrow for their equipment to reach her. In response, a dedicated team of volunteers sprang into action, working tirelessly around the clock with drilling and cutting tools to free the stranded dog.
On Thursday afternoon, a week after her entrapment, thousands of viewers tuned in to a Facebook livestream that captured the moment Rose was released. Cheers erupted from the crowd as she emerged from the cave, being gently carried away in the arms of one of the volunteers. Authorities confirmed that she would be taken “straight to the vet” for an examination.
Rose’s dramatic fall began when she plummeted approximately 15 feet through the rock formation. Following the fire service’s withdrawal, volunteers traveled from as far as Lincolnshire and Scotland to join the rescue operation. Equipped with electric saws and drills, they spent countless hours chiseling away at the rock face, removing tons of debris to access Rose. To keep her alive during the ordeal, food and water were lowered into the crevice.
The community rallied behind the rescue effort, raising over £11,000 online to support the mission. Twelve-year-old Logan Birkhead, one of Rose’s owners, expressed his deep concern for her safety, stating, “When she gets out, she’s getting in the bath with me,” before the rescue.
Ben Kitchingham, who led the volunteer efforts and camped on-site despite welcoming a newborn just days earlier, described the emotional rollercoaster of the rescue. He recounted, “At one point I lost hope. I went home at six in the morning and thought the dog was dead. Then I got a message from a lad who said he could hear her, so I turned my motor around and came back.”
The rescue of Rose not only highlights the dedication of the volunteers but also underscores the strong bond between pets and their owners, culminating in a heartwarming reunion.
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