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Filey RNLI rescue Sammy the Spaniel

Lifeboats News Release

When Sammy, the springer spaniel, fell from the cliffs to the north of Filey yesterday evening (20th August), his owners feared the worse.

Sammy the spaniel having been recovered into the ILB

RNLI/John Ward

Sammy the spaniel having been recovered into the ILB


But it was Sammy’s lucky day. He survived the fall and then was rescued by Filey inshore lifeboat crew.

Just after 6.40pm, UK Coastguard (Humber) requested the launch of Filey’s inshore lifeboat (ILB), Braund, to locate the springer spaniel which had fallen from cliffs about two miles north of Filey Brigg close to a place known locally as Chimney Hole.

Within a few minutes, the ILB launched with Gary Wilson, Fraser Haddington and Dougie Ward as crew.

15 minutes later, the ILB crew had arrived on scene and could see Sammy running around the rocks at the base of the cliffs. It was decided that the best way to evacuate the dog was by sea so the ILB crew landed close to the shore and proceeded to coax Sammy into the boat.

Eventually, he was brought aboard the ILB and taken back to Coble Landing, Filey where he was reunited with his grateful owners and to spontaneous applause and cheers from the crowd that had gathered to watch the boat being recovered.

Sammy was none the worse for his ordeal.

John Ward, Filey Lifeboat Press Officer said: “It was Sammy’s lucky day. He did well to survive the fall relatively unharmed. Many thanks to the crew for an excellent job and all the other RNLI personnel who turned out.”

Notes to editors

  • Filey Lifeboat Station was founded in 1804. It currently operates both a Mersey-Class All-Weather Lifeboat and an Inshore Lifeboat. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to Filey Lifeboat Station Facebook page.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone John Ward, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07771800748 or [email protected] or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

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