A DOG plunged 60 feet in a freak accident — and lived.

Five-year-old black labrador Ollie was being walked by owner Ann Mullett at Entwistle Reservoir, Edgworth, when he heard something that caught his attention.

He took off at a gallop and leapt over a low wall, only to find himself hurtling through space, landing 60ft down the slope at the side of a dam.

As she saw the dog disappear, Mrs Mullett screamed and several anglers nearby ran to her assistance.

One of them climbed down to the stricken animal while another called firefighters and a hillside rescue team from Darwen was quickly on the spot.

They hauled the stricken animal up on a stretcher.

Mrs Mullett, who lives in Bolton, said: “He was on his lead but he pulled on it and took off.

“I was screaming like a maniac. Some fishermen came to help and thought I had been attacked.

“Ollie was crying and his tongue was hanging out.

“I thought he was dead at first. He just injured the one leg and had scratches under his chin. It is unbelievable he is still here.

“A fireman said if it was a human they wouldn’t have survived.”

Ollie broke his front right leg so badly vets advised it be amputated at a £1,000 cost or he would have to be put down.

Moved by the dog’s ordeal, neighbours, friends and family clubbed together to give Mrs Mullett, 46, a nurse at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, and her husband Brian, aged 45, a postman, £165 towards the operation as the couple do not have pet insurance.

Ollie went under the knife at Pet Medics in Worsley, Salford, the day after the accident and was allowed home last Tuesday.

Mrs Mullett said: “I was at my wit's end. I had no idea how I was going to find the money. I just knew that Ollie had to be saved.

“People have been extraordinarily kind.

“I do not know how I can possibly thank them.”

She added: “Ollie is getting about quite well. His biggest problem comes when he wants to go to the toilet — he struggles with balance.”

Curtis,11, and Alycia, 16, Mr and Mrs Mullett’s son and daughter, have been spoiling Ollie and helping him with his recovery.