A border collie has been reunited with her owner after spending a week alone in remote New Zealand backcountry, following a serious accident that left her owner injured and the dog missing.
Molly was found on Tuesday near a waterfall on the Campbell Range in the Arahura Valley, on the South Island's West Coast. Her owner, Jessica Johnston, had fallen 55 metres while hiking on 24 March. She was seriously injured and airlifted to hospital, but Molly had vanished.
With no official funding for animal rescues in New Zealand, a small helicopter company, Precision Helicopters, appealed for public help. Donations poured in, exceeding the NZ$2,400 target within eight hours and raising more than NZ$11,500 from strangers across the country.
A volunteer crew, including former rescue helicopter pilot Matt Newton and crewman Wayne, who brought his Jack Russell Bingo for support, flew to the site. Using thermal imaging gear, they spotted Molly at the foot of the waterfall, surrounded by sharp rocks and mist. Wayne climbed out and coaxed the dog with a piece of sausage before carrying her to the helicopter.
The rescue team said Molly had probably not fallen down the waterfall but had spent the week making her way back to where she last saw her owner. Johnston, who suffered a split elbow and extensive bruising, said on Facebook: "It's been a bloody rough week, but with both of us back home I can add this adventure to the list."
