pengwen
01-17-2006, 06:31 PM
Mine Mishap Ends Happily
By Kenny Brothers
email: creativeflunky@sonewmex.com (creativeflunky@sonewmex.com)
© 2006 SONewMex.com Reprint Permission Granted
Jan. 17, 2006 Socorro – A mine mishap ended happily this afternoon when a group of volunteers pulled an injured Jack Russell Terrier from a mine shaft in the Magdalena Mountains.
http://steppinoutnewmexico.com/images/lauripupw.jpg
When Olaf and Laurie Heintz decided to take their three Jack Russell terriers for an afternoon hike on Sunday, they had no way of knowing that it would spark two days of intense worry.
As they approached the abandoned Buckhorn Mine, Schooner, one of the puppies, jumped up on the angle iron grate that covers the shaft and fell through the 5-inch gap between the grate.
He landed on a small dirt ledge just below the top but before Olaf could grab him, he slid off and fell about 100 feet down the vertical shaft.
Although hard to see at the bottom of the dark pit, Olaf said he couldn’t see the dog moving.
There didn’t appear to be any way to reach the puppy as the grate was not wide enough to allow an adult to gain access. After trying unsuccessfully to get a response Sunday afternoon, the Heintzes decided to return the next day.
Olaf said he expected to dump some dirt down to cover poor Schooner and put up a memorial plaque. But when they arrived Monday, the puppy was barking and moving around. Enlisting the help of neighbors Chris Greiner and Chrysan Spreng, the four worked through the blowing snow and bitter winds to try to get Schooner to climb into a pet carrier or hammock rigged as a net to pull him up, but to no avail. The Heintzes had to leave their puppy there another night.
On Tuesday, the Hentzes returned with more volunteers. Joining them were James and David Hunter of the New Mexico Tech Caving Club and Ryan Snyder of the NMT Search and Rescue, and friends Michael Hanauer and this writer.
Using a portable generator to power a saw, Chris Greiner removed a section of the grate. Then James Hunter lowered himself down the shaft. Within minutes, a very happy puppy was securely lashed into the hammock and carefully hauled to the surface.
http://steppinoutnewmexico.com/images/jhunter.jpg
Schooner’s only apparent injury was a damaged right hind leg, although judging by how much water he consumed, thirst seemed to be the biggest problem.
Schooner was taken to Animal Haven, where the staff reported he has a broken leg and pelvis which required an operation and immobilization.
Olaf and Laurie thank all those who assisted in Schooner’s rescue with special thanks to James Hunter and their neighbors Chris and Chrysan.
Incidentally, Chris Greiner and Chrysan Spreng and Ryan Snyder, stayed after the rescue and welded the grate back together.
By Kenny Brothers
email: creativeflunky@sonewmex.com (creativeflunky@sonewmex.com)
© 2006 SONewMex.com Reprint Permission Granted
Jan. 17, 2006 Socorro – A mine mishap ended happily this afternoon when a group of volunteers pulled an injured Jack Russell Terrier from a mine shaft in the Magdalena Mountains.
http://steppinoutnewmexico.com/images/lauripupw.jpg
When Olaf and Laurie Heintz decided to take their three Jack Russell terriers for an afternoon hike on Sunday, they had no way of knowing that it would spark two days of intense worry.
As they approached the abandoned Buckhorn Mine, Schooner, one of the puppies, jumped up on the angle iron grate that covers the shaft and fell through the 5-inch gap between the grate.
He landed on a small dirt ledge just below the top but before Olaf could grab him, he slid off and fell about 100 feet down the vertical shaft.
Although hard to see at the bottom of the dark pit, Olaf said he couldn’t see the dog moving.
There didn’t appear to be any way to reach the puppy as the grate was not wide enough to allow an adult to gain access. After trying unsuccessfully to get a response Sunday afternoon, the Heintzes decided to return the next day.
Olaf said he expected to dump some dirt down to cover poor Schooner and put up a memorial plaque. But when they arrived Monday, the puppy was barking and moving around. Enlisting the help of neighbors Chris Greiner and Chrysan Spreng, the four worked through the blowing snow and bitter winds to try to get Schooner to climb into a pet carrier or hammock rigged as a net to pull him up, but to no avail. The Heintzes had to leave their puppy there another night.
On Tuesday, the Hentzes returned with more volunteers. Joining them were James and David Hunter of the New Mexico Tech Caving Club and Ryan Snyder of the NMT Search and Rescue, and friends Michael Hanauer and this writer.
Using a portable generator to power a saw, Chris Greiner removed a section of the grate. Then James Hunter lowered himself down the shaft. Within minutes, a very happy puppy was securely lashed into the hammock and carefully hauled to the surface.
http://steppinoutnewmexico.com/images/jhunter.jpg
Schooner’s only apparent injury was a damaged right hind leg, although judging by how much water he consumed, thirst seemed to be the biggest problem.
Schooner was taken to Animal Haven, where the staff reported he has a broken leg and pelvis which required an operation and immobilization.
Olaf and Laurie thank all those who assisted in Schooner’s rescue with special thanks to James Hunter and their neighbors Chris and Chrysan.
Incidentally, Chris Greiner and Chrysan Spreng and Ryan Snyder, stayed after the rescue and welded the grate back together.