A border collie named Molly was rescued by helicopter one week after her owner sustained injuries from a 55-meter (180-foot) waterfall fall on New Zealand's South Island. The owner was evacuated on March 24, but Molly was not located at the time of the initial rescue. Subsequent search efforts, supported by public donations, led to Molly's discovery and airlift to safety.
Owner's Dramatic Fall and Molly's Disappearance
On March 24, a hiker, identified as Jessica Johnston in some reports, fell 55 meters (180 feet) from a waterfall on New Zealand's South Island. She sustained injuries including bruises and lacerations. Emergency rescue services airlifted the injured hiker from the scene.
Her border collie, Molly, could not be found during the initial rescue and remained in the wilderness following her owner's evacuation.
Community Rallies: The Search and Funding Effort
In the days following the incident, Matt Newton, owner-operator of Precision Helicopters New Zealand, initiated multiple searches for Molly. After these initial attempts proved unsuccessful, Newton and his family launched a public fundraiser to secure additional resources.
The initiative successfully raised over 11,000 New Zealand dollars (approximately $6,300 USD) from public donations. These funds were specifically designated to cover additional helicopter flying hours and the acquisition or use of advanced search equipment, including crucial thermal imaging technology.
Molly Found: A Week-Long Ordeal Ends
One week after the initial incident, on a Tuesday, Matt Newton led a renewed aerial search operation. The team included a veterinary nurse, volunteer searchers, and a rescue dog named Bingo.
Utilizing thermal imaging equipment, Molly was located approximately an hour into the search, found just meters from the precise spot where her owner had landed following the fall.
A volunteer disembarked from the helicopter to assist in coaxing Molly to safety. Newton observed that Molly appeared to be in good condition despite spending a week alone in the wilderness, hypothesizing she may have survived by consuming feral animals. Molly was successfully airlifted from the remote site, bringing her week-long ordeal to an end.
A Heartwarming Reunion
Following her successful rescue, Molly was reunited with her owner, Jessica Johnston, who was recovering from her injuries. Precision Helicopters Ltd acknowledged the public's overwhelming support for the successful rescue operation via social media, highlighting the community effort that brought Molly home.