Mountain rescue worker stunned after dogs save collapsed owner in Lake District

The Labrador and golden retriever helped alert a passing walker to their unconscious owner.

The Labrador and golden retriever helped alert a passing walker to their unconscious owner. (Keswick Mountain Rescue Team/Facebook)

A 71-year-old man who collapsed during a walk in the Lake District was saved by his loyal dogs.

The man was walking his two dogs on Saturday near the town of Keswick when he had an apparent seizure, collapsed and became unconscious.

One of his dogs, a black Labrador, ran to alert a female walker who had previously passed them. The walker followed then found the man lying unconscious next to the other dog, a golden retriever.

She then called 999 and Keswick Mountain Rescue Team soon arrived with 12 team members. A crew from North West Ambulance Service also assisted.

Around 12 members of Keswick Mountain Rescue Team assisted the man (Keswick Mountain Rescue Team/Facebook)

The man had regained consciousness by the time help had arrived, he was then taken to a local hospital for further checks.

Rob Grange of Keswick Mountain Rescue Team told BBC Radio Cumbria: “It’s not an unusual thing for a dog to do, but it’s just the fact a completely untrained dog decided to do this that is absolutely wonderful.

“I’ve not come across it in 10 years of mountain rescue.”

A spokesperson for Keswick Mountain Rescue Team told The Independent: “We have never really come across this before.

“Obviously search and rescue dogs with years of training with their handlers do a good job in locating missing or injured persons, and alerting their handlers. But it’s unusual and surprising for untrained dogs to do this.

“It just shows that we shouldn’t underestimate our four legged friends.