Woman and her dog rescued from River Rother at Rye

Volunteers from the Rye Harbour RNLI were called at 7.50pm, to assist a woman and her dog in the River Rother at Rye Harbour.

When the volunteer crew arrived on scene at 8pm, the lady was clinging to an access ladder with one hand and her dog with the other.

The dog was running around and chasing seagulls when it ran over the retaining wall falling into the River Rother.

The owner encouraged the dog to swim down river towards the beach where they were going to recover the dog.

They managed to get as far as Lime Kiln Cottage when the dog started showing signs of distress and exhaustion.

The woman climbed down an access ladders on the side of the river wall.

Stepping off the ladder into the water she was taken by surprise at the depth of the water; being deeper than expected.

Not being a proficient swimmer, the lady managed to grab hold of the ladder with one hand and her dog with the other.

Unfortunately, the lady was not strong enough to carry the spaniel back up the ladder.

Her husband was unable to help his wife due to limited mobility.

At 8.05pm the crew had got the lady and her dog back over the wall on to dry land.

After being checked over by paramedics at Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Station, she went home with her husband and her dog

Tony Edwards, Acting Lifeboat Operations Manager at Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Station said, “This rescue had a happy outcome but it could have had a much different conclusion. Never put yourself in danger. If you see someone in danger, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.”

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