VOLUNTEERS from a mountain rescue team braved a 15-foot mine shaft to help rescue a dog which had been stuck for over 24 hours.

And Lola the dog has been renamed “Lucky Lola” by the team after the dramatic rescue on Monday afternoon.

Owners, Nev and Cat Horsefield, from Hartlepool, were walking on the Wainstones, above Great Broughton, near Stokesley, North Yorkshire, on Sunday afternoon when the dog disappeared.

Despite hours of searching, they could find no sign of the dog and had to leave because it was getting dark.

On Monday morning they resumed their search, and, when calling, heard a bark which came from a 15-foot hole, believed to be an old mine shaft.

She seemed uninjured, and a phonecall to the police resulted in Cleveland Mountain Rescue team being called. 

Barry Warrington, a spokesman for the eight-strong team, said: “Examination of the shaft revealed a 15-foot hole leading down to a horizontal passage which Lola had managed to get into.

“A rope system was set up above the hole and a member of the team was able to abseil down the shaft with a special dog harness.

“After gentle persuasion with the aid of a few doggy treats, Lola was coaxed into the harness and then hauled to safety.”

He said despite being muddy, wet and cold, Lola appeared none the worse for her ordeal.

Although the mine shaft was some distance from the nearest footpath, the National Park Authority had been informed of the exact location of the shaft.”