Blind man's best friend makes dramatic rescue (From Gazette Series)

Blind man's best friend makes dramatic rescue

EXCLUSIVE

A FAITHFUL guide dog came to the rescue of her blind owner who had plunged down a death trap in Cam.

Three-year-old Labrador Chloe refused to move from the 5ft pit near Woodfield Road which her owner had helplessly fallen into.

Robert Young, 62, who has been registered blind for 14 years, was taking the dog he has relied upon since February for some exercise on Monday lunchtime.

He usually takes the same route, wears a reflective coat and uses his walking cane.

Mr Young, who moved to Cam from Standish 18 months ago, said he knew the hole was somewhere in the vicinity, because he had almost fallen down it during his first walk in the area, but it was usually covered up by branches.

"I normally find the hole with my cane," he told the Gazette from his home in Severn Road.

"But someone must have collected the branches for firewood or something and before I knew it I had fallen in. The way I landed meant I just could not move."

He then used his voice-activated mobile phone, which he never leaves home without, to call 999.

Police from Dursley tried to locate Mr Young, who was by now worried and becoming more and more agitated.

Mobile company Vodafone helped officers by tracing the signal from Mr Young's phone.

But it was man's best friend who finally saved the day.

Chloe, who has been specially trained to protect her owner, stayed by the pit until she heard voices and then - in a tale fit for an episode of Lassie - ran off in their direction.

She returned with police and ambulance crews who freed Mr Young and took him to the home he shares with wife Carolyn.

"It all happened so quickly but Chloe was absolutely marvellous," he told the Gazette.

"I could only give vague directions to the police about where I was because I didn't know. Thankfully Chloe is very clever.

"I knew she would never leave me."

Mr Young was bitten, muddy and very shaken but said: "I will still be walking Chloe but I will reconsider where I go - hopefully somewhere without any holes."