Loyal Dog Rescued After Waiting a Week for Injured Hiker in New Zealand

A border collie named Molly was rescued by helicopter on March 31, 2026, after spending one week in the wilderness of New Zealand’s South Island. The dog had been separated from her owner following a severe accident in a remote area of the country’s West Coast.

The incident began on March 24, 2026, when hiker Jessica Johnston slipped and fell 180 feet, or 55 meters, down a waterfall on the Arahura River. Emergency rescuers located Johnston at a rocky spot at the waterfall, where she had sustained lacerations and bruises. While Johnston was airlifted to safety on March 24, rescuers were unable to find her dog, Molly, and were forced to evacuate the woman without her pet.

Crowdfunded Search Effort

The search for the missing border collie was initiated by Lillian Newton of Precision Helicopters. Newton decided to seek out the dog on her own initiative after learning about the situation from a friend.

I was only [told] by a friend that Molly was missing. No one ever asked me to look for her, but I just took it on my own initiative.

Lillian Newton

With Johnston’s permission, Newton and her family launched a fundraising campaign to cover the costs of helicopter flight hours and advanced search equipment. The effort gained significant public support, with strangers donating more than 11,000 New Zealand dollars, approximately $6,300. The funds raised were five times the original target and provided enough capital for three additional hours of helicopter flight using thermal imaging equipment.

The Rescue Operation

Matt Newton, the owner-operator of Precision Helicopters New Zealand based at Hokitika Gorge, led the renewed search. He had previously searched the area several times without success. On March 31, 2026, Newton flew a mission accompanied by a veterinary nurse, volunteer searchers, and a dog named Bingo, owned by Wayne Holmes.

The team utilized thermal imaging to scan the river area. According to Matt Newton, the team struck jackpot within about an hour when the thermal camera detected the dog, which was then confirmed visually.

Molly was discovered sitting on rocks under the waterfall, only a few meters from the location where Johnston had fallen a week earlier. Although some reports described the dog as bedraggled and hungry, Lillian Newton stated that the dog’s condition was perfect.

The volunteer rescue team used a treat to lure Molly toward them before scooping her up and transporting her to safety via helicopter.

Following the rescue on March 31, 2026, Molly was reunited with Jessica Johnston. Johnston, who was recovering from the injuries sustained in her fall, expressed joy at the return of her pet.