Updated | Man rescued 22 hours after falling into hole has dog to thank

Natale Fenech, 66 of Sliema, has his dog to thank for saving his life after spending 22 hours trapped in a well in Pembroke.

Fenech, who was walking his two dogs in an area close to the reverse osmosis plant, fell into a well after one of his dogs escaped. According to the police's communications office, the man fell into a ditch at around 5.30pm on Friday afternoon and was rescued today at 3.40pm.

In a rather strange accident, it appears that one of the dogs ran away, walking straight into a partially covered four-metre ditch and falling into a well. Not realising that the tunnel led to a well, Fenech crawled in after his dog, falling straight into the well.

His second dog stood by the ditch, barking until eventually – 22 hours later – passers-by realised that someone was trapped underground.

“If it were not for his dog, no one would have realised that a man had fallen in,” an eyewitness said. Noticing that the dog had a leash, passers-by realised that something was wrong and the dog had been barking for attention.

It was at that moment that passers-by heard the cries for help.

Soaking wet, shivering and weak, Fenech and his other dog were rescued by members of the Civil Protection Department. An ambulance rushed the man to Mater Dei Hospital where he is receiving treatment for hypothermia.