Hayden Daniel is over the moon to be back with his best buddy, Sox the dog, after the collie was dramatically rescued from a quarry.

Royal Wootton Bassett Academy pupil Hayden, 12, was at school when the accident happened.

His dad, farmer James Daniel, was walking Sox, 12, on land in Marston Meysey, with three other dogs when the collie wandered off, getting caught in a silt lagoon at Morton Cullimore Quarry at 8.55am on Wednesday last week.

James, who lives in The Rosary, said: “I was out fixing a fence and the four dogs were in the field.

“I noticed that Sox had disappeared into the distance, I expected him to catch us up when he’d finished doing what he was doing but never did.

“ I started looking for him, and saw some flashing blue lights in the neighbouring quarry, “I initially thought someone must have been hurt there. Then I decided to go over in case it was anything to do with Sox.

“When I arrived I saw an RSPCA van leaving which had Sox inside.”

At the quarry, Sox was partially submerged in mud around four metres from the bank.

Workers called the emergency services and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service attended.

A crew from Cricklade Fire Station and a specialist water rescue team from Stratton rescued the dog.

They used an inflatable walkway to reach him and bring Sox to safety.

He was taken to Shaw Vets to be checked over but thankfully he hadn’t suffered injury and was soon released.

Sox was reunited with Hayden later that afternoon.

Hayden said: “He’s my best buddy in the whole wide world and my partner in crime so I was glad to see him again after what happened.

“It was a little scary but I was fine because he hadn’t drowned.”

James, who has three other dogs; Flash, Buzz and Nelson, said: “My son and Sox are both 12 and have grown up together as boy and pup so it was lovely to have them reunited.

“I want to say a huge thank you to everyone involved, especially the fire service as they get a kicking when things go wrong and I think it is only right to promote occasions like this.”

Firefighters praised the quick response of the quarry workers and said that it was vital in saving Sox’s life.

Antony Bholah, watch manager, said: “The staff at the quarry did everything right in calling us rather than trying to rescue Sox themselves.

“We have the specialist training and equipment to be able to carry out such a rescue in a safe and effective way.”