Bolton man rescued from raging brook; couple searching for remains of missing dog

March 26, 2021 | By Lisa Scagliotti

Editor’s note: This story was updated on March 28.

A rescue boat approaches the stranded man in the middle of the raging Joiner Brook on Friday afternoon. Photo courtesy Richmond Volunteer Fire Department.

In an emotional social media post Sunday afternoon, the wife of the Bolton man rescued in Joiner Brook on Friday appealed to the public to be on the lookout for any sign of their missing dog who they believe didn’t survive his ordeal in the rapids above the Bolton Potholes. 

Water is fast and high on Joiner Brook on Friday afternoon. Officials warn the public to stay away from waterways swollen with snowmelt making for treacherous and life-threatening conditions. Photo courtesy Richmond Volunteer Fire Department.

“I can’t believe I’m even writing this, but our sweet boy – the light of our life, Yogurt – got ripped away by river rapids in the Joiner Brook (Bolton Potholes) in Bolton, Vermont, on Friday at 2 p.m.,” writes Amanda Knoll Taylor on Facebook. “My husband Derek almost died, literally, trying to save him but fortunately against all odds pulled himself onto a rock just before the huge waterfall and was rescued after 4 hours by the courageous rescue teams (Richmond, Colchester Technical and Stowe Mountain).”

Multiple rescue crews converged on Joiner Brook in Bolton Friday afternoon for a water rescue that brought the local man to safety but turned up no sign of the dog he was attempting to retrieve when he fell into raging waters. 

Vermont State Police Lt. Robert Lucas from the Williston barracks reported that state police were joined by members of the Bolton Fire Dept., Richmond Fire & Rescue, and Colchester Technical Rescue in the area of 428 Bolton Valley Access Road in Bolton after getting word that a man was caught in the swollen brook at about 2 p.m. Friday.

Local waterways last week have become particularly full and fast with rapidly melting snowpack from higher elevations due to warm spring temperatures. 

The man, 30-year-old Derek Taylor of Bolton, told first responders that he had entered the water about 50-75 feet upstream in an attempt to rescue one of his dogs after it had fallen in and was swept downstream by extreme currents. 

Taylor himself was then swept downstream before he was able to pull himself up onto a rock ledge not far above the 100-foot waterfalls known as the Bolton Potholes, Lucas said in his account of the rescue. “Over the course of the three-hour operation, Colchester Technical Rescue eventually was able to deploy personnel and bring Taylor back to shore safely,” Lucas wrote.  

Taylor was not hurt in the ordeal although he did suffer hypothermia. He was transported to the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington for medical treatment, officials said. 

Amanda Taylor shared a photo of her dog, Yogurt, who disappeared in Joiner Brook in Bolton on Friday after her husband tried to rescue him. Courtesy photo.

Lucas ended his dispatch with: “Regretfully, no signs of the dog have been noted.” 

Amanda Taylor on Sunday shared a photo of Yogurt with a post that said they searched unsuccessfully for the dog’s body and think it could have reached the Winooski River. They found a water bottle in the brook that Derek had in his pocket when he went in to rescue the dog and came upon one of Derek’s socks on the bank of the Winooski just past where the Joiner Brook meets the river, she writes.

“We are heartbroken and in a state of shock over the loss of our perfect boy, that we couldn’t save him and misjudged how dangerous the area was to be walking around. We will never get over this. Ever. But we need to find his body and we would love anyone’s help,” she writes. 

With fishing season ramping up soon, Amanda Taylor appealed to those out near the stream and riverbanks to keep an eye out for their pet’s remains. “The water was incredibly rough that day. There is truly no telling how far the current may have taken him. Or whether or not he was wedged somewhere along the Joiner Brook in the potholes or if he reached the Winooski,” she wrote. 

The golden retriever is blond in color, 65-75 lbs, and was wearing a cow-print collar with the name “Yogurt” printed on it. Call with any tips to Amanda at (717) 715-9491.

She ends her appeal by asking for prayers or thoughts of support as they grapple with the “sick nightmare” ordeal they experienced this weekend. “Please send every positive piece of energy and love you can our way. Yogurt was our absolute world. The best thing to ever happen to us,” she said.