Video shows the thrilling moment a dog was finally freed after being trapped 40 meters down a narrow crevasse for three days – with a huge bear as his ‘cave mate’.
Charlie the dog was reported trapped by his owner after he got stuck in a cave shaft in a forest in Tennessee.
Firefighter Tori Downing, who went into the deep cave to rescue Charlie, soon discovered that he was in even greater danger than they first imagined – discovering that the bag was only five meters away from a sleeping bear.
“As I rounded the corner, I saw two small bear feet and a rather large claw clawing at the wall next to him,” she said.
“She stops, looks down, turns and calmly looks back and says, ‘the bear is still in the cave,’” said fellow firefighter Capt. Jon Lanier. WVLT.
The dog was strapped into a harness that was created by the rescue team and taken safely out of the cave
Charlie pictured with his owner (left) and rescuers, which included Firefighter Christian Ellard (Waldens Creek), Firefighter Andrew Wojturski (Sevier County Fire & Rescue) and Capt. Jon Lanier (Waldens Creek)
The terrified dog was filmed emerging from the cave after being trapped for three days
Charlie was trapped even further inside the cave system than the slumbering bear, presumably to keep a safe distance from the dangerous 200lb beast.
The fire crew decided the best course of action would be to set up a camera in the cave at Waldens Creek in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Firefighters then observed the bear leaving the cave the next day and resumed their rescue efforts.
Rescuers descended into the cave using a rope system and managed to find Charlie.
The dog was strapped into a harness that had been created by the rescue team and lifted safely out of the cave.
Fire officials said the dog was quickly reunited with its happy owner.
Footage shows the moment Charlie is pulled out of the cave, with an onlooker heard shouting, ‘Come on big boy, come on mate’, as he is pulled up.
As he emerges, looking understandably shaken by his experience, applause and ‘good guy’ cheers erupt.
Fortunately, the two-year-old hunting dog was not injured during his ordeal.
A spokesman for the Waldens Creek Volunteer Fire Department said: “All told, Charlie was trapped in the cave for three days.
“For part of that time, he reluctantly shared it with a roughly two-year-old, 200-pound bear.”
They added: “He was dehydrated and starving but in good condition.”
Concerned members of the public inquired about the bear’s health, while the fire station reassured them: ‘The bear is fine.
Rescuers descended into the cave using a rope system and managed to find Charlie
Rescuers had to squeeze through the narrow crevice to find and then extract Charlie
Charlie running up the cave, which was also the bear’s den, after he got trapped three days ago
Fire officials said the dog was quickly reunited with its happy owner. Pictured: Charlie coming out of the cave with his owner
“We entered the cave on Tuesday and found him in the den sleeping happily and apparently not too worried about his ‘cave mate.’
“We contacted the TWRA and on their advice, we let the bear out on its own.
“After we verified he was out of the den on Wednesday, we were able to cross the area where the bear had been sleeping and rescue the trapped dog.”
One local said: ‘Great job and so glad the bear didn’t hurt the dog.’
Another social media user wrote: ‘Perfect ending.
“The bravery it took to carry on. The rescue of this dog was above and beyond.
“Thank you to the firefighters who risk it all every day.”
Last year, the same rescue team rescued Charlie’s cousin named Storm after he fell into a deep cave on nearby English Mountain, according to the fire station’s post.
(tagsTranslate) daily mail(s) news(s) Tennessee
Heart-warming moment hunting dog Charlie emerges as he is finally rescued unharmed after he was stuck 40ft down a narrow cave with a huge 200lb bear for three days
