“He plunged 14 feet 😳 In late May, Freddie the dog was enjoying a stroll with his family along the River Thames in England when disaster struck. Curiously exploring the edge of the sea wall, Freddie ventured a tad too far. In an instant, he tumbled 14 feet down into the waves below.
Luckily, Freddie’s family knew just who to contact.
“Freddie’s owner acted quickly — they called 999 and requested the coastguard’s assistance,” Gravesend RNLI shared in a Facebook update.
Upon receiving the distress call, rescuers from Gravesend RNLI swiftly launched a lifeboat. Arriving at the scene, they spotted Freddie’s anxious eyes peering above the greenish-gray water. With precision and care, the rescue team approached Freddie and safely brought him aboard the lifeboat.
As they made their way back to shore with Freddie in tow, the sight of a dog on board surprised port staff awaiting their arrival.
“I saw the lifeboat with its flashing blue lights along the shore, and suddenly it was heading towards me,” remarked Chris Turner, a line handler at Tilbury Port. “I never expected them to dock at Tilbury Terminal with a dog!”
Back on dry land, Freddie shook off the water from his coat and joyously reunited with his relieved family. Rescuers were immensely grateful that Freddie’s harrowing ordeal concluded with a happy ending.
“It’s always heartwarming to witness the reunion of a dog with its owner,” remarked RNLI volunteer Aaron Reynolds. “Especially after a [14-foot] plunge into the Thames!”
This rescue tale underscores the importance of quick action and the dedication of emergency responders in ensuring the safety of our beloved pets.”