Rescuers Save Labrador Trapped on Cliff Near Yorkshire Waterfall

An eight-year-old Labrador named Penny was safely rescued after becoming trapped on a narrow rocky ledge about 40 feet below a trail near Pecca Falls in North Yorkshire, England.

Penny had fallen into the river before climbing onto a rocky outcrop approximately two metres above the water. She was unable to find a safe way back up the steep gorge.

Rescue Team Lowered Down the Cliff

The incident happened at the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail on September 26. The volunteer-run Cave Rescue Organisation and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service responded to help the stranded dog.

Rescuers established a rope system and lowered a volunteer down the cliff to reach Penny. The dog was then secured and carefully hauled back up the gorge.

After the operation, Penny was reunited with her owner. Firefighters from the Ripon swiftwater rescue team also provided support from the river below.

A Challenging Rescue

The rescue took place near Pecca Falls, a series of waterfalls whose combined drops total more than 30 metres. The steep terrain made reaching Penny difficult and required specialist rope-rescue equipment.

The Cave Rescue Organisation, which is based in Clapham, has more than 80 volunteers who respond to incidents across the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding areas.

Another Dog Was Rescued at the Same Falls

Penny was not the first dog to get into trouble at Pecca Falls. Earlier in 2026, rescuers used a similar rope-and-pulley system to retrieve another dog that had fallen onto a ledge about eight metres below the trail.

In Penny’s case, the rescue team was able to reach her safely and bring her back to her owner without further incident.

Sources

• BBC News — “Dog rescued from cliff ledge at landmark waterfall” — September 27, 2026
• North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service — “Incident summary – Saturday 26th September Night shift” — September 27, 2026