Factory worker hailed after rescuing dog owner from the sea

A factory worker has been praised after helping save a dog owner from the sea after his pet ran into the water.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Aug 2018, 17:42 BST
Updated 14th Aug 2018, 17:48 BST
Helen McKenzie with Corey Waring and Bonnie the Labrador he saved along with his owner.Helen McKenzie with Corey Waring and Bonnie the Labrador he saved along with his owner.
Helen McKenzie with Corey Waring and Bonnie the Labrador he saved along with his owner.

Hospital nurse Helen Mckenzie, 40, and her boyfriend Mark, 44, a warehouse manager, went out for a jog along the seafront of their home town of Seaham with Labradors Bonnie, three, and Bella, nine, on Monday afternoon.

Bonnie managed to get into the rough sea through an inlet in the promenade wall near Featherbed Rocks, leading to Mark rushing in after her.

Corey Waring with Bonnie the Labrador and Helen McKenzie. Back from left Corey's sister kinishia, mother Kylie and sister Courtney WaringCorey Waring with Bonnie the Labrador and Helen McKenzie. Back from left Corey's sister kinishia, mother Kylie and sister Courtney Waring
Corey Waring with Bonnie the Labrador and Helen McKenzie. Back from left Corey's sister kinishia, mother Kylie and sister Courtney Waring
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By chance, mum Kylie Waring had taken her children Corey, 20, Courtney, 17, and Kinisha, 13, down to Seaham’s seafront for fish and chips with Corey’s girlfriend Charlotte Bentham, 19, when they spotted the pair in difficulty.

Helen has thanked the family for going to their rescue as they were reunited near to the spot where it all happened.

She says it’s down to the cool-headed reaction of NSK worker Corey, from Peterlee, that the incident was brought to a safe conclusion as he led his family in the rescue and tried to encourage the dog out of the water.

He had used a life ring and rope to reach Mark and pull him to safety - while Bonnie managed to reach shore herself.

Corey Waring saved Bonnie the Labrador along with his owner by using the lifebouyCorey Waring saved Bonnie the Labrador along with his owner by using the lifebouy
Corey Waring saved Bonnie the Labrador along with his owner by using the lifebouy
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Meanwhile his family called the Coastguard in case more help was needed and held on to Bella on a lead.

Helen said: “I want to say how grateful we are, especially to Corey, who was just so calm, he was brilliant.

“To think he’s only 20, he’s got his head screwed on and he should be proud of himself. It’s just a huge relief for us and we want to thank them for what they did.”

Kylie, who works at McColl’s in Fulwell Road in Peterlee, and is married to Kevin, 43, who runs The Bicycle Repair Man in Beverley Way in their home town, was with Corey, Hartlepool Sixth Form College student Courtney, The Academy at Shotton Hall pupil Kinisha and Charlotte when they heard shouting from the promenade.

Kylie said: “They put a message on Facebook to thank us and people have been putting comments on saying we’re local heros. I’m so proud of what they did.”