April 15th, 2024A very golden retrieval…

Nella is one very lucky rolden retriever after being retrieved herself, from a very hairy predicament earlier this month.

Torquay and Bellbrae CFA units joined forces with their counterparts on Tuesday April 2 in a multi-agency high angle excercise to rescue the dog from atop a cliff face at Bells Beach.

At around 12.27pm that day CFA units alongside SES and Fire Rescue Victoria had responded to reports of a dog stuck on the edge of a cliff on Bells Beach Road in Bells Beach.

Two-year-old golden retriever and beach enthusiast Nella had wandered from her owner, Taryn, in a Bells Beach carpark that adjoined a walking track, before finding herself stranded on a ledge, 10 metres down a cliff just above the water.  

CFA District 7 Commander Nick Callan said an anchor point was set up for the high angle rescue team to retrieve Nella, with two firefighters required for the daring rescue.

Nella safely ascended to the top of the cliff at around 3.28pm in a gear clothing bag with the crew members, before being reunited with a much-relieved Taryn and her husband Matt who had been at the bottom of the cliff on the beach keeping Nella calm.

Torquay Fire Brigade 2nd Lieutenant David Muir said it was a good ending, with everyone safe and secure, and that the family was very grateful for the work of the agencies after an emotional few hours.

Words & Images: CFA