Caver rescued in eight-hour operation after fall

2 days ago

Isaac Ashe

BBC News, Derby

A complex operation was needed to bring the caver to the surface

Derbyshire Cave Rescue Organisation A team of people in harnesses with a winch system set up at the entrance to an underground cave system — A complex operation was needed to bring the caver to the surface

A caver who fell underground in the Peak District had to be rescued in an eight-hour operation.

A group of cavers had been visiting the Derbyshire Hall chamber inside the Nettle Pot cave near Castleton, Derbyshire, on Saturday when one of them suffered pelvic injuries in a fall.

Some 32 volunteers from the Derbyshire Cave Rescue Organisation (DCRO) were called to treat and then bring the caver to safety.

They were then passed into the care of East Midlands Ambulance Service.

Emergency services joined volunteers at the scene near Castleton

Derbyshire Cave Rescue Organisation A view of the scale of the operation in the fields viewed from a nearby hilltop — Emergency services joined volunteers at the scene near Castleton

A DCRO spokesperson said: "We understand the casualty is thankfully not seriously injured and wish them a swift recovery."

The spokesperson added a further nine hours of work from volunteers was needed to clean and sort the equipment used in the operation.

The entrance to the cave system is near Castleton

Derbyshire Cave Rescue Organisation A concrete shaft used to enter the cave with a person in the entrance — The entrance to the cave system is near Castleton

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