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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
(31 minutes later)
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More than 240 volunteers are involved in helping a man in one of the UK's longest cave systems.More than 240 volunteers are involved in helping a man in one of the UK's longest cave systems.
Almost 250 people are involved in rescuing a man who was injured after falling while caving in the Brecon Beacons two days ago.Almost 250 people are involved in rescuing a man who was injured after falling while caving in the Brecon Beacons two days ago.
The South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team (SMWCRT) said he fell on Saturday in the Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave system near Penwyllt, Powys.The South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team (SMWCRT) said he fell on Saturday in the Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave system near Penwyllt, Powys.
He is being moved by stretcher by crews working in shifts, but the rescue could take another 10 hours. He is being moved by stretcher by crews working in shifts.
At least eight rescue teams are involved in the operation. He has multiple injuries and one rescuer said it was "a matter of time before we get him out".
Another caver, who had been caving with the man, notified police about the incident in the cave system, which is Britain's third longest. Peter Francis, 74, from SMWCRT, said: "We can now confirm that the man has multiple injuries but they are not life threatening.
Rescuers have not yet revealed how far he fell or the extent of his injuries, but one rescuer said: "He's lucky to be with us." "We're very optimistic now, it's a matter of time before we get him out.
They added: "He's in a bad way." "He's warm, he's stable. The doctor with him is monitoring him the whole time and we're not worried about him getting hypothermia."
SMWCRT spokesman Paul Taylor said: "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." Peter Francis says the rescue teams had designed some of the stretchers themselves
Mr Francis said the man was "an experienced, fit caver" and "it was a matter of putting his foot in the wrong place".
He added: "It's just something moved from under him."
Live updates: Cave rescueLive updates: Cave rescue
The injured man has been talking to his rescuers, he said. Mr Francis said rescuers had brought the man towards the top entrance of the cave and were planning on bringing him down and then transporting him by car to hospital.
It is the longest cave rescue undertaken in Wales, as the previous longest was 41 hours, and this current operation has already taken more than 48 hours, said Mr Taylor. Foggy and wet conditions in the Brecon Beacons mean an air ambulance helicopter is unable to land.
It is the longest cave rescue undertaken in Wales, as the previous longest was 41 hours, and this current operation has already taken more than 48 hours.
Another caver, who had been caving with the man, notified police about the incident in the cave system, which is Britain's third longest.
At the scene with reporter Matt MurrayAt the scene with reporter Matt Murray
Rescue teams have been taking it in turns to help with the operationRescue teams have been taking it in turns to help with the operation
One rescue team has just come back in from helping at the cave, which is about half-a-kilometre up from here, and they were looking tired and wet but also optimistic as well - many has smiles on their faces.One rescue team has just come back in from helping at the cave, which is about half-a-kilometre up from here, and they were looking tired and wet but also optimistic as well - many has smiles on their faces.
It is understood the casualty has been brought to the top of the cave by stretcher.It is understood the casualty has been brought to the top of the cave by stretcher.
Now it is past three o'clock, this has actually become the longest cave rescue in south Wales history - the previous one was 41 hours.Now it is past three o'clock, this has actually become the longest cave rescue in south Wales history - the previous one was 41 hours.
Today's conditions have not helped - there is this persistent drizzle and visibility is extremely poor, and things aren't going to get any easier as the night starts to draw in here.Today's conditions have not helped - there is this persistent drizzle and visibility is extremely poor, and things aren't going to get any easier as the night starts to draw in here.
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.
Peter Francis, one of the oldest cave rescuers taking part, and who is responsible for the discovery of parts of the cave, called the incident "an unfortunate, chance accident".
He added: "Because of the nature of the complexity of the cave you can't just have one party doing it all the time.
"People get tired and other people need to perhaps take equipment into certain areas to have it there ready when we need it.
"So it's a rolling programme all the time. Although we are a big rescue team, our numbers can't cope with this sort of problem so we've had to call in other rescuers, other teams from all over Britain."
Peter Francis says the rescue teams had designed some of the stretchers themselves
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
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).
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 systemInside the Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave system
Underground controller Julian Carter has done two shifts in the past 10 hours, co-ordinating rescue efforts.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".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".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."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.
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