Border Collie Found Alive, Reunites with Owner a Week After Falling Down Waterfall

A miraculous rescue has captured hearts after a Border Collie named Molly was found safe in the remote Arahura Valley in the New Zealand wilderness — close to where her owner, Jessica Johnston, had fallen down a waterfall a week earlier.

During a hike, Molly and Jessica tumbled down a waterfall. Jessica fell 180 feet (55 meters) down and was lucky to survive. The two became separated and while Jess was airlifted to safety, Molly vanished into the wild.

As news spread about the lost dog, a fundraising page was launched to fund a search by helicopter in hopes to expedite the search on the rocky, treacherous terrain.

Enough money had been raised for three hours of flight time. And within an hour they miraculously found her, wet and cold, at the base of the waterfall in the very spot where her mom had fallen.

Watch the moment the helicopter rescue crew found her:

Molly was crouched beneath a jagged rock, soaked and terrified but she didn’t move when a crewman went out to get her.

He brought a specially trained support dog with him to help, and Molly let him carry her to safety.

On landing, Molly spotted Jessica and raced straight to her side. Jessica was overcome with emotion, choking back tears.

“She’s been through a bloody rough week. But with both of us back home I can add this adventure to the list,” Jessica wrote on Facebook, adding: “Still a great trip before our lives were turned upside down.”

After days alone in the wild, battered but alive, Molly’s survival is nothing short of extraordinary — a powerful reminder of hope, courage, and the unbreakable bond between a dog and her human.

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