Dog Waffle rescued by Rock RNLI volunteers

Rock RNLI's D Class lifeboat Rusper II launched at 9am with three volunteer lifeboat crew aboard. A member of the public reported to HM Coastguard that a dog had fallen from height over the cliffs at Greenaway on the Camel Estuary.

Rock Lifeboat crew member Duncan Taylor, who attended the station for his first shout, said: 'Once on scene it became clear the dog had been washed into the sea and was in need of urgent help at this point.

'We managed to get to the dog but it had lost consciousness and was in need of critical care, we started CPR on the way to shore and began to see signs of life. It was great to finally put my training into practice.'

The volunteer crew handed the dog to the Coastguard and her owners who immediately rushed her to the vet.

The following Sunday, Waffle attended the station with her owners to say a big thanks to the crew. Waffle suffered a broken pelvis but will hopefully make a good recovery.

Waffle's owner's said: 'The incredible work of Rock RNLI saved Waffle’s life. Foolishly, she was off the lead and fell 70 foot off a cliff into a rough sea, battling the waves and rocks until she was rescued. We are so grateful to the crew.'

Rock RNLI's D Class lifeboat Rusper II is on call 24/7 365 days a year. If you find yourself or someone else in trouble along the coast call 999 and ask for the coastguard.

Congratulations on your first shout and first life saved Duncan Taylor.

Notes to editors

The attached image shows Waffle with Rock's voluntary lifeboat crew after her rescue.

The RNLI is the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Rock RNLI is located at The Dinghy Park, Rock, Cornwall PL27 6LD. The lifeboat station was founded in 1998 and the volunteer crew use their D-Class lifeboat Rusper II.

RNLI media contacts

For further information, please contact:
Chris Hewitt, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Rock lifeboat station RNLI on 07748985300 or email [email protected]
Emma Haines, Regional Communications Manager, on 07786 668847 or email [email protected],

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.