This Tiny Chihuahua Saved His Owner’s Life After a Fall Into a Glacier Crevasse
In Switzerland, a man fell eight meters deep into an icy crevasse while hiking. But thanks to the loyalty and sharp instincts of his chihuahua, rescue teams found him in time. The little dog’s bravery turned a near tragedy into a miraculous survival story.
A Walk Turned Nightmare on the Fee Glacier
What began as a peaceful afternoon hike ended in a terrifying plunge when a man exploring the Fee Glacier above the village of Saas-Fee, in the Swiss Alps, suddenly fell into a crevasse approximately eight meters deep. He was accompanied only by his small dog—a chihuahua.
While the man tumbled into the ice, his four-legged companion miraculously remained at the edge of the crevasse, unharmed. What happened next stunned even experienced mountain rescuers.
A Hero With Tiny Paws
The rescue, described as “extraordinary” by Air Zermatt, the Swiss air rescue company that led the operation, took place on Friday, July 5. The man had managed to use a handheld amateur radio (a walkie-talkie) to call for help. Luckily, a nearby person caught the distress signal and alerted authorities.
An Air Zermatt helicopter carrying three rescue specialists was dispatched to the glacier. But despite their training, locating the crevasse proved nearly impossible. The glacier was vast, and the hole was nearly invisible from above.
That’s when the little chihuahua made its move.
.png)
.png)
.jpg)
.jpg)
The Dog That Pointed the Way
The rescue team was searching when one of the rescuers spotted a small movement on the glacier. It was the chihuahua, still waiting patiently near the crevasse where his owner had fallen hours earlier. That tiny movement changed everything.
“Thanks to the dog’s behavior, the team was able to pinpoint the exact location of the accident,” said Air Zermatt in a public statement. The rescuers quickly descended by rope into the crevasse and successfully retrieved the injured man.
A Happy Ending—Together
After being lifted to safety, the man and his loyal dog were flown to the Visp hospital for treatment and recovery. Both survived the ordeal, and the man’s condition is stable.
The incident is a powerful reminder that heroism comes in all sizes. While Saint Bernards may be the classic image of alpine rescue dogs, this tiny chihuahua has certainly earned its place among the legends of mountain survival.
.avif)
