The dog fell from Sharp Edge

A dog escaped serious injury after falling 150ft (46m) from a Lake District ridge.

Rescuers said the black labrador, Archie, had a lucky escape when he fell from Sharp Edge on Blencathra on Monday.

The two-year old dog slipped at the bad step on the ridge and fell down the gully on the northern side of Sharp Edge.

Mountain guide Matt Le Voi, who was on the route with two others, managed to scramble down the gully and reach the dog, who had managed to arrest his fall on a small grassy rake.

The mountaineer told the dog’s owners to call mountain rescue and the Keswick team was called out about 1.22pm. Mr Le Voi stayed with the dog and checked him out while help arrived. He also comforted the animal and made sure it didn’t fall any further.

A group of five volunteers from Keswick Mountain Rescue Team made its way to the scene via Mousthwaite Comb and Scales Tarn.

Labrador Archie escaped relatively unscathed from his fall. Photo: Keswick MRT

A team spokesperson said: “Once on scene, a member of the team abseiled down to the dog, and after securing it with a couple of slings, was able to abseil into the gully bottom, where another member of the team was able to secure it.

“On examination, it seemed to have escaped with cuts and bruises. It was then led down and handed over to the grateful owners. They were escorted down to Mousthwaite, and made arrangements for the local vet to check the dog over.

“A lucky escape!”

Six members of the Keswick team were involved in the rescue, which took more than 3½ hours.