Winter rescue: Stranded dog winched to safety on helicopter

In this image provided by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, winchman Kate Willoughby holds Ben the dog after he was rescued in the Cairngorms in Inverness, Scotland, Wednesday, March 13, 2019. It was a routine winter training mission in northeast Scotland until the Maritime and Coastguard Agency spotted a stranded dog on the snowy Cairngorms mountains below. They couldn’t fly away and leave the dog in trouble, so winchman Mark Stevens on Wednesday was lowered to the ground, scooped up the cold and frightened animal, and raised back to the helicopter. (Maritime & Coastguard Agency via AP)

LONDON – It was a routine winter training mission in northeastern Scotland until the Maritime and Coastguard Agency crew spotted a stranded dog on the snowy Cairngorms mountains below.

They couldn't fly away and leave the dog in trouble, so winchman Mark Stevens on Wednesday was lowered to the ground, scooped up the cold and frightened animal, and both were raised back to the helicopter.

The dog, named Ben, was cuddled and warmed on board before being rushed to a veterinarian.

It turns out Ben had been missing for two days in dangerous weather caused by Storm Gareth.

Officials say Ben has recovered from exposure and has been reunited with his owner.