The cavernous Box stone mines are made up of an intricate network of tunnels that lead to a vast area simply known as the ‘Cathedral’. While owners of the mine have done their best to block off the main entrances, adrenaline junkies have still managed to find access to the tunnels of the former limestone quarry.

Just last month, four men were rescued in the early hours of the morning after they lost their bearings within the mines, sparking a huge response from police officers, firefighters and Mendip Cave Rescue volunteers.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Photo by Trevor PorterPhoto by Trevor Porter

The rescue spurred memories for retired police dog handler Roy Woodward, of Corsham, who recalled his own daring rescue at the mines 17 years ago.

Two abandoned motorbikes had sparked the rescue response on June 22, 1993. Police called on Mr Woodward and his police dog, German Shepherd Zak, to come help scour the wooded area near to the bikes.

Mr Woodward recalls: “Zak showed interest at one of the entrances to the Box mines and his body language made it clear that the men had gone inside.”

Two rescue teams then entered the caves via the entrance Zak had identified, and traced the two men who had all but given up hope.

Mr Woodward said: “They had gone in with box of matches which they had dropped on the ground, and had been there about 30 hours. I don’t know what will have been running through their heads.”

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald:

Zak received national praise for his efforts in the rescue, and was featured in local papers, such as the Gazette and Herald, as well as national titles like the Telegraph.

He retired two days after the rescue, so Mr Woodward describes the Box rescue as “quite special” for his beloved pooch. Zak had been an asset to Wiltshire Police - helping to track down missing people across the county.

In one incident, Mr Woodward and Zak were sent to the Chippenham home of an escaped prisoner. Mr Woodward recalled: “Zak sniffed around the bedroom and began to growl, then stuck his head beneath the mattress which was very odd behaviour. We lifted it up and there was the escapee, he’s removed the springs from the mattress to form his hiding place. Zak was brilliant, an exceptionally talented dog.”

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald:

Zak also won an award from the National Canine Defence League. Zak died in December 26, 1999, the same year Mr Woodward retired from the police. “It was like losing a member of the family,” his former owner recalls.

Mr Woodward now lives in Corsham and, despite the 17 years since the daring rescue at box mines, still very much misses his heroic dog, Zak.