A technical rope rescue was needed to help a swimmer and a dog stranded near a steep waterfall in New York last week.
On Wednesday, July 8 at 7 p.m., Greene County officials requested forest ranger assistance with a swimmer and a dog stranded below Fawn’s Leap, a 24-foot high waterfall in Hunter, New York.
The dog had reportedly gone over the edge and was stuck on the other side of the stream. A 29-year-old from Poughkeepsie tried to rescue the dog but also got stuck.
Forest rangers assisted the Ulster County Sheriff’s Dive/Swift Water Rescue Team, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, the Athens and Hudson Fire Departments, and Twin Cloves Technical Rope Rescue Team with a high-angle rope rescue.
Rangers provided a personal flotation device to the swimmer as a rescuer was lowered to attach a harness to the swimmer and the dog.
Rescuers raised the swimmer and dog to the top of Fawn’s Leap, where they were assisted across a calmer section of the stream. Resources were clear at 9:15 p.m.
Officials said the incident occurred in a restricted area with warning signage. New York Department of Environmental Conservation officials said hikers should follow signs and avoid dangerous locations.
