A man has been rescued by the police after being trapped in a cave in Pembroke for almost a day.

The rescue was made this afternoon near the Pembroke reverse osmosis plant.

It is understood that the man, Natale Fenech, 66 of Siema, fell down a shaft into the cave partially filled with water yesterday afternoon at about 5.30 pm. The police said he had tried to rescue a dog after the latter fell.

People on the scene said Mr Fenech had had two dogs. One of them fell down the shaft and Mr Fenech fell in too when trying to rescue him. The other dog stayed near the shaft, barking.

Mr Fenech was trapped in the cave, up to his neck in cold water, for 22 hours, holding his dog.

A passer-by raised the alarm after seeing the dog barking near the shaft and then hearing the man's cries for help.

District police, a medical team and Civil Protection personnel were on site.

Mr Fenech, who was weak but conscious,was pulled up with his dog and conveyed to Mater Dei Hospital for treatment for hypothermia.

The dog that saved its owner's life by barking.