Dog Survives 200 Foot Fall Down Mine Shaft
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - A family in Littleton is happy to have their family pet home safe.
Bailey, their five-year-old pit bull, was rescued by West Metro fire crews on Monday after falling approximately 200 feet down an old mine shaft.
Owner Eric Storrs was with the dog at the time.
"I didn't think there was any way looking down that hole that there was any chance she could survive," he told CBS4.
Storrs said he was running with Bailey in an area of Roxborough Park he wasn't familiar with when she took off.
"She jumped over the top of a hill and disappeared," Storrs said.
After he lost sight of the dog, "she went airborne and then I couldn't see her anymore, I didn't hear her, so it was pretty scary."
Certain he wouldn't be able to rescue the family pet by himself, Storrs called for help.
West Metro Fire crews responded in minutes and immediately started gearing up.
Two rescuers were lowered into the mine, where they were able to find Bailey and bring her back to safety.
The crew captured the whole thing on camera, even Storrs' emotional reunion with his dog.
"She popped her head out and she was sitting in that basket it was amazing," he said
The family says without the efforts of rescuers from West Metro, Bailey probably wouldn't be with them now. They say they can't thank them enough for saving her life.
"They said they were going to pull my dog out and they pulled her out," Storrs said.
Karen Morfitt Joined the CBS4 team as a reporter in 2013. She covers a variety of stories in and around metro Denver. Follow her on Twitter @karenmorfitt or email her tips.
