MANCHESTER, N.Y. — An 84-year-old woman is recovering from minor injuries after falling into a well while searching for her missing cat in Ontario County.

It happened around 4 p.m. on Sunday in the Town of Manchester. The Clifton Springs Fire Department helped with rescue. Assistant Chief Wayne Conklin described the scene.

“It wasn’t chaotic at first. I mean, you walk around the back of the house, our captain was communicating directly with the lady down at the bottom of the well, which is a good sign,” Conklin said.

However, it was still an emergency situation and Conklin says they had to be strategic about resources. Departments from across the region sprung into action, from confined space technicians to Monroe County Special Opps.

The woman was in the well for about 40 minutes before her husband found her. The well had been covered but gave in when she walked over it.

“You get into that dilemma of how fast do you proceed without creating more of a problem. Because we don’t want to add to her problem. The last thing we want to do is try to put somebody into that well and then they become another victim,” Conklin said.

The well has been secured and blocked off with yellow tape. The woman’s cat was later found safe.

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