New Zealanders finance copter rescue of dog in wilderness

(NewsNation) — The planets aligned this week for a helicopter pilot who made one more attempt to rescue a dog that disappeared in the New Zealand wilderness. Molly the border collie went missing after her owner, Jessica Johnston, fell down a waterfall in the Arahura Valley on March 24. Rescuers were able to pluck the injured Johnston from the remote area, but the dog was nowhere to be seen and was left behind. Enter Matt Newton, owner-operator of regional family business Precision Helicopters. He said he reached Johnston in the hospital and told her he would look for the animal. After his initial attempts were unsuccessful, Newton shifted to a new plan, asking New Zealanders to help finance a flight using thermal imaging technology. The crowdfunding effort raised the equivalent of $6,300. With the money, the pilot was able to launch a three-hour flight on Tuesday. Traveling with him were a veterinary nurse, volunteer searchers and a rescue dog named Bingo. “We struck jackpot within about an hour,” Newton said. “As we made our way up the river, we could see the dog in the thermal and then we could visually see it.” Wayne Holmes and Bingo were able to reach Molly at the base of the waterfall, and the wet animal was carried to the helicopter. The border collie was soon reunited with owner Johnston. “She knew what we were up to, I think,” the pilot said of Molly. “She behaved real well. She didn’t run away and she was pleased to be rescued.”