When RACQ CareFlight winched two men stranded on Mount Maroon to safety yesterday, every effort was made to also rescue Diff the dog.  Unfortunately the mission had to be aborted due to bad weather.

“The entire crew did a commendable job hoisting the two men 150 metres off the ledge they were trapped on back to the chopper,   said CareFlight Pilot Adrian Park.

“We then tried on two approaches to lower a QLD Police Dog Handler down to rescue Diff, but excessive cloud cover meant the rescue had to be called off.”

The CareFlight crew involved didn’t want to leave Diff behind, but like with any rescue the safety of the crew is paramount.

“It was an awful feeling flying away seeing Diff there alone, but if that was a person we would have done the same thing, said Adrian Park.

“We have very strict safety guidelines in aviation and I had three colleagues’ lives in my hands.”

Diff the dog was rescued last this afternoon by his owner who went back up the mountain on foot after it was decided by QLD Police that no helicopters would be tasked in the bad weather conditions.

Apart from being slightly dehydrated Diff the dog is home and safe

Media Contact Renee Buckingham 0421 381 023.