Dog survives 50ft plunge off railway bridge path

A woman is calling for warning signs to be put on an old railway bridge after her dog fell about 50ft (15m) over a wall and was left with serious injuries.

Suzanne Mckeown said she was unaware of the "severe drop" when she was walking her dogs off-lead along the path from Kiplingcotes to Market Weighton in East Yorkshire.

Her two-year-old Labrador Cherry was left in critical condition, with five broken vertebrae in her neck, a broken wrist, liver damage and air around the lungs.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council said it was conducting an investigation after being made aware of the incident which happened on 20 August.

Ms Mckeown, 57, who lives in Hull, said she was walking her five dogs along the path when "within a split second" her 26-year-old daughter, Niamh, shouted "there is a drop".

"I called my dogs back then realised Cherry had gone over the wall and was lying on the road below.

"It was only when I looked over I realised what was there. I thought Cherry was dead but when we got to the road she was standing there."

Ms Mckeown said Cherry "rapidly deteriorated in the car" as they rushed her to Wicstun Vets in Market Weighton.

"The vets were outstanding. She was critical for at least 24 hours.

"They stabilised her and she has remarkably pulled through."

Reflecting on what happened, Ms Mckeown said: "Initially it was just a complete and utter shock. You wrongly make assumptions when you go for a walk, I have good dogs that are well-behaved most of the time.

"I was devastated that it had happened and I didn't know it [the drop] was there. It was just horrendous.

"There needs to be a minimum of warning signs that the bridge is there at the start of the walk-way.

"It also needs railings putting up. Something needs to be done desperately and very soon to avoid anything further happening."

Senior vet Will Taylor said: "We have cared for a small number of patients who have fallen from the bridge at the old railway line path into Market Weighton.

"As pet owners ourselves, we know how much dogs love to explore their surroundings when they're out for a walk.

"Hedges and low walls can hide a range of hazards such as ditches, litter and drops, so keeping dogs on a lead by these areas will help to keep them safe."

A spokesperson for East Riding of Yorkshire Council said: "The council has recently been made aware of an incident on the bridge forming part of the old railway line from Beverley to Market Weighton.

"The appropriate services at the council have been informed and are conducting an investigation.

"We strongly recommend that visitors follow the Countryside Code when dog walking in the countryside."

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