TWO hikers crushed by an avalanche in Switzerland have been rescued after their dogs barked persistently for help.

The pooches attracted the attention of nearby snow-shoers who spotted the hikers, despite one being entirely buried by snow, and dug them out.

The passers-by rescued the pair from a spot off the hiking trail in the Avers Valley of southwestern Switzerland, near the Italian border and west of St. Moritz.

Air ambulance service Rega said the dogs had somehow avoided the masses of snow that buried their owners.

They were able to draw attention to themselves by barking loudly, Reuters reported.

“The dogs attracted the attention of a group of snow-shoers who were some distance away in the same valley but had not witnessed the avalanche.”

The avalanche had swept the pair off the trail shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday.

The group of snow-shoers was reportedly at the scene just 15-20 minutes after the avalanche.

One of the avalanche victims’ hands was reportedly visible, while the other person had been buried entirely, Rega said.

Both hikers were suffering slight injuries when they were dug out, and were suffering from mild hypothermia.

Rega flew both patients to hospital by helicopter.

(SD-Agencies)