A HORRIFIED dog owner has spoken of the moment her beloved pet fell 100 feet into a quarry while on a walk.

Two-year-old Patterdale terrier Wilson had to be winched to safety by Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue team (RPMRT) after running over the edge of Lee Quarry in Bacup on Saturday.

Owner, mum-of-two Faye Simpson, said she felt helpless as she listened to Wilson's terrified yelps as he smashed into boulders at the bottom of the rock face.

Describing his survival as 'miraculous', Mrs Simpson, of Fieldfare Way, Bacup, said the 'boisterous and playful' terrier is being treated by an emergency vet and although he is alive he remains poorly in an oxygen tent after undergoing chest drains.

"We had been out for about an hour and a half," she said. "Wilson was off his lead and I saw him disappear over the edge. The sign was there, it wasn't as if there was no warning, but I had never been up there before.

"As I shouted for him I heard him squeal. I have no excuses. I'm absolutely gutted and heartbroken at the thought of losing him.

"I think the signs could be bigger, and using a hazard sign would make the danger more obvious to people like me that have never been round that area.

"My boy's life is in the balance."

Around 15 mountain rescue volunteers in two vehicles were called to the quarry around 1.10pm to help rescue little Wilson.

The first live saver on the scene scaled the 100ft rock face to reach the dog and check on his condition.

A doctor and other team members then attended to Wilson's injuries while a rope system was installed to bring him up to the surface.

Eventually he was then put in a basket stretcher and brought up the rock face.

RPMRT deputy team leader Graham Dalley said: "The first member on the scene climbed down to the dog and we comforted the owner at the top.

"Our team doctor and team members then attended to the dog while a rope system was installed.

"Wilson had fallen about a hundred feet onto boulders at the bottom of the quarry. He was put in a basket and on a stretcher and brought to safety, where he was reunited with his owner.

"The last we heard was that he was doing well but was very poorly and that the next 24 hours were critical."

Wilson was taken to Shuttleworth Veterinary Group in Bacup Road, Rawtenstall, who opened specially to deal with the incident, before he was taken to an emergency vets in Bury for specialist care.

Vets said they were amazed early X-rays showed Wilson had not broken one single bone.

RPMRT leader, Pete Goble, added: "We are glad we could help Wilson. It didn't look too good when we arrived. He was very poorly.

"After several minutes of petting and some off-the-cuff medical aid, he started to open his eyes, the tough little chap.

"We all hope he makes a full recovery."

Bacup councillor Jimmy Eaton urged dog owners to keep their pets on a lead at the quarry because of the potential dangers there.

He said: “It’s quite remarkable that the dog has fallen so far and survived.

“It’s almost a minor miracle because you can fall just 5ft and kill yourself.

“My thoughts go out to the owner and I hope that the dog makes a full recovery.

“Dogs should always be kept on a lead in potentially dangerous areas because you just never know what will happen.

“I go walking with my dog in the quarry every day and there are sheer drops that, if you do not know the area, come out of nowhere.”

Mrs Simpson, a worker at the Maden Children's Centre,Bacup, said she had packed a picnic and some dog bones to go on a day-long trek across the tops above Bacup, somewhere she had never been before, after struggling to take Wilson out during the week.

She said: "I really cannot put into words how grateful I am for the support the mountain rescue team gave me.

"Wilson wouldn't have the fighting chance that he has now if it wasn't for these guys.

"He has some blood on the lungs and a bit of air surrounding them but, all in all, after taking a leap of faith, he's been very lucky so far.

"I would urge other dog owners to be extra careful in that area and keep their dogs on leads. I am going to do everything I can to try and improve the signage in the area and I am gong to get in touch with the council to see what can be done."

Faye said Wilson was stable after having two chest drains to release air surrounding his lungs and heart, and said he was in an oxygen chamber 'sleeping and healing'.

She said: "He has to have more in-depth x-rays but needs sedation for them, and he's not well enough yet for those.

"For the fall he took, he's making incredible progress."