SDF-trained Canine Disaster Search Teams deployed to search for woman missing after bluff collapse

SDF-trained Canine Disaster Search Teams deployed to search for woman missing after bluff collapse

Search Dog Foundation-trained teams Tom Carney & Allie (South San Francisco Fire) and Eli Thomas & Vader (San Francisco Fire) responded to a cliff collapse at a beach in Northern California. Two women and a dog were seen walking in the area when the cliff and hill on the coast next to Fort Funston in the San Francisco area collapsed around 2:30 p.m. local time on Friday, February 22.

According to witnesses, one woman was trapped under dirt and witnesses dug her out from beneath the landslide. She and the dog were able to get to safety but her companion on the shore remained missing.

At least 60 San Francisco Fire Department first responders searched by hand and shovel on the scene, digging to find the victim still trapped alive. Search Dogs Allie and Vader, who were trained by SDF to find live human scent, searched the fallen hillside thoroughly several times, ensuring the entire area was covered. Though neither live find dog alerted, three human remains detection canines were brought to also search the area, in case the victim was deceased.

During a 6 p.m. update, San Francisco Fire Department announced the operation had shifted from rescue to recovery, meaning they were now searching for the body of the missing woman.

Though the outcome of this incident is not what anyone had hoped, we are grateful to Allie, Tom, Vader, Eli, the three additional canine teams, as well as all the responders from San Francisco Fire, San Francisco Police and other agencies in the area.

Check out Allie in action as well as news coverage from Bay Area media.