Daring Duncan gets a dousing in Victoria Park dog rescue

A HAVE-A-GO hero risked his life in an attempt to save a pet pooch which had fallen into Victoria Park s partially frozen lake. Brave Duncan McGonigle walked out onto the ice, jumped into the freezing water and plucked the Jack Russell out after two other

A HAVE-A-GO hero risked his life in an attempt to save a pet pooch which had fallen into Victoria Park's partially frozen lake.

Brave Duncan McGonigle walked out onto the ice, jumped into the freezing water and plucked the Jack Russell out after two other rescue bids failed this afternoon (Thursday).

Duncan, 32, who works in the park's Pavilion Caf� next to the lake, watched as the dog tried to scramble onto the ice after falling into the water.

Its distraught owner had tried to call it back to the shore and even ventured out onto the ice herself before being ordered back by police. Another walker in the park also tried to rescue the dog but was unsuccessful.

Duncan said: "There was a lot of shouting and the police were ordering people not to go on the ice but I could see that the dog was becoming exhausted and it was almost too late.

"By the time I'd got out there it was completely under the water but even if it was too late I just wanted to be able to get the dog back for its owner as it would be so upsetting for her if it was still out there."

Firefighters from Bow fire station gave the dog oxygen, massaged it and tried to warm it up before police rushed it to the vet.

A spokesman said it had stopped breathing but was breathing when it was handed over to cops.

Duncan changed into dry clothes before being treated by the London Ambulance Service.

An ambulance spokesman confirmed two people had been treaded at the scene but did not require hospital treatment.