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Brecon Beacons: Rescuers reach caver stuck in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu since Saturday Brecon Beacons: Rescuers reach caver stuck in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu since Saturday
(32 minutes later)
Volunteers hike to the top end of the cave as rescuers take it in turns to helpVolunteers hike to the top end of the cave as rescuers take it in turns to help
A rescue operation is under way after a man fell and was injured while caving in the Brecon Beacons two days ago.A rescue operation is under way after a man fell and was injured while caving in the Brecon Beacons two days ago.
The South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team (SMWCRT) said he fell on Saturday while caving in the Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave system near Penwyllt, Powys.The South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team (SMWCRT) said he fell on Saturday while caving in the Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave system near Penwyllt, Powys.
He is being moved by stretcher to a top cave entrance after being unable to get out himself due to his injuries.He is being moved by stretcher to a top cave entrance after being unable to get out himself due to his injuries.
A total 242 people from cave groups and at least eight rescue teams have become involved in the rescue.A total 242 people from cave groups and at least eight rescue teams have become involved in the rescue.
Another caver notified police about the incident in the cave system, which is Britain's third longest.Another caver notified police about the incident in the cave system, which is Britain's third longest.
"We are moving the casualty towards the top entrance of the cave which is located up on the mountain and will be the point of exit," said SMWCRT spokesman Paul Taylor."We are moving the casualty towards the top entrance of the cave which is located up on the mountain and will be the point of exit," said SMWCRT spokesman Paul Taylor.
The injured man has been talking to his rescuers, he said.The injured man has been talking to his rescuers, he said.
Live updates: Cave rescueLive updates: Cave rescue
A rescue operation is under way after a man became trapped in one of the deepest caves in Britain for two daysThe injured man has been moved to a top cave entrance after being unable to get himself out Read more: https://t.co/TRHWlUcWyw pic.twitter.com/ym4Not1JkhA rescue operation is under way after a man became trapped in one of the deepest caves in Britain for two daysThe injured man has been moved to a top cave entrance after being unable to get himself out Read more: https://t.co/TRHWlUcWyw pic.twitter.com/ym4Not1Jkh
At the scene with reporter Rhys WilliamsAt the scene with reporter Rhys Williams
The rescue team at their base have radio communications to the cave entrance.The rescue team at their base have radio communications to the cave entrance.
The team at the cave entrance are talking to the rescuers in the cave via something called "cave link" which is described by Paul Taylor, spokesman for the rescuers, as "black magic".The team at the cave entrance are talking to the rescuers in the cave via something called "cave link" which is described by Paul Taylor, spokesman for the rescuers, as "black magic".
In this system, text messages are sent through the rock without a need for cables.In this system, text messages are sent through the rock without a need for cables.
Some of the cave rescuers here are internationally renowned, and some have travelled from as far as North Yorkshire.Some of the cave rescuers here are internationally renowned, and some have travelled from as far as North Yorkshire.
Some were also involved with the Thai cave rescue in 2018.Some were also involved with the Thai cave rescue in 2018.
We know very little of the caver's condition at the moment but we do understand that the rescue is going well and he is talking to his rescuers.We know very little of the caver's condition at the moment but we do understand that the rescue is going well and he is talking to his rescuers.
Julian Carter, who’s spent two shifts underground in the last ten hours, says the appeal of this cave system is that it’s a “through cave”.The active stream way can be very dangerous he says, but the water level is pretty low at the moment. pic.twitter.com/2SfqjeYUo9
The caves were discovered by the South Wales Caving Club in 1946, according to Natural Resources Wales, with underground streams and waterfalls.The caves were discovered by the South Wales Caving Club in 1946, according to Natural Resources Wales, with underground streams and waterfalls.
They can only be accessed by cavers with a permit from the caving club.They can only be accessed by cavers with a permit from the caving club.
The system is about 902ft (275m) at its deepest point.The system is about 902ft (275m) at its deepest point.
It is the second largest in Wales and one of the deepest in the UK.It is the second largest in Wales and one of the deepest in the UK.
The injured man used this entrance to get into the cave systemThe injured man used this entrance to get into the cave system
In a statement, SMWCRT said a fellow caver alerted police before it was called in to initiate a response.In a statement, SMWCRT said a fellow caver alerted police before it was called in to initiate a response.
"This incident is ongoing and involves cave rescuers from teams across the UK," it said."This incident is ongoing and involves cave rescuers from teams across the UK," it said.
Involved are Gloucester Cave Rescue Group, Midlands Cave Rescue Organisation, Derbyshire Cave Rescue Organisation, Mendip Cave Rescue, South East Cave Rescue Organisation, Cave Rescue Organisation, and Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association (UWFRA).Involved are Gloucester Cave Rescue Group, Midlands Cave Rescue Organisation, Derbyshire Cave Rescue Organisation, Mendip Cave Rescue, South East Cave Rescue Organisation, Cave Rescue Organisation, and Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association (UWFRA).
Ambulance crews are also at the scene
The caving club's website said Ogof Ffynnon Ddu is Britain's third longest cave.The caving club's website said Ogof Ffynnon Ddu is Britain's third longest cave.
"The through trip from the top to the bottom entrance remains a classic in the UK, and its approx 61km [31 miles] of passages provide everything from huge chambers, beautiful formations, to yawning chasms and thundering river passages," it said."The through trip from the top to the bottom entrance remains a classic in the UK, and its approx 61km [31 miles] of passages provide everything from huge chambers, beautiful formations, to yawning chasms and thundering river passages," it said.
"The routes through the cave are too numerous to mention.""The routes through the cave are too numerous to mention."
It adds: "Be aware that the mainstream and some other parts of the cave are prone to flooding, and in any event a journey down the mainstream is long and cold and wet, so go prepared."It adds: "Be aware that the mainstream and some other parts of the cave are prone to flooding, and in any event a journey down the mainstream is long and cold and wet, so go prepared."
Inside the Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave system
Underground controller Julian Carter has done two shifts in the past 10 hours, co-ordinating rescue efforts.
While he described it as a "challenging rescue", he said conditions have been generally good with water levels low and the care of the casualty "exemplary".
As the third largest cave in Great Britain, he said people were drawn to its "amazing landscape".
"Some of it is crawling, some horrible, other parts just fabulous, through the active stream ways," he said.
In a Facebook post, the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association (UWFRA) in North Yorkshire said it deployed a small team to assist after the British Cave Rescue Council requested northern teams assist colleagues from the south.In a Facebook post, the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association (UWFRA) in North Yorkshire said it deployed a small team to assist after the British Cave Rescue Council requested northern teams assist colleagues from the south.
"Our team travelled down overnight and got a few hours sleep before joining the rescue this morning," it said.
"We wish all the teams involved a safe trip and a successful outcome."
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