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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Britons in NZ cave rescue drama | Britons in NZ cave rescue drama |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Three cavers, including two Britons have been rescued after becoming trapped underground in New Zealand. | Three cavers, including two Britons have been rescued after becoming trapped underground in New Zealand. |
| The 22-year-olds, one from England and the other from Wales, and an American woman, 27, were exploring Harwood's Hole on South Island. | The 22-year-olds, one from England and the other from Wales, and an American woman, 27, were exploring Harwood's Hole on South Island. |
| They spent 12 hours in the 650ft (200m) deep limestone cave at Takaka Hill after equipment failed. | They spent 12 hours in the 650ft (200m) deep limestone cave at Takaka Hill after equipment failed. |
| A fourth caver raised the alarm and they were found unharmed but police said the trip had been "ill-advised". | |
| They were all ill-advised and ill-equipped and didn't have the experience for a cave like Harwoods Hole New Zealand police statement | They were all ill-advised and ill-equipped and didn't have the experience for a cave like Harwoods Hole New Zealand police statement |
| Fifty cavers, volunteers and St John Ambulance were involved in the operation, after being alerted by a Canadian caver who reached the surface. | |
| Police in Nelson said initial information was that one of the cavers was injured but they were found unharmed. | Police in Nelson said initial information was that one of the cavers was injured but they were found unharmed. |
| "The two stranded and suspended down the cave system were unable to go up or down," said a police statement. | "The two stranded and suspended down the cave system were unable to go up or down," said a police statement. |
| Risks | Risks |
| "Although they believed they had the experience and correct equipment they were all ill-advised and ill-equipped and didn't have the experience for a cave like Harwoods Hole. | "Although they believed they had the experience and correct equipment they were all ill-advised and ill-equipped and didn't have the experience for a cave like Harwoods Hole. |
| "Had they been equipped correctly they should have been able to self-rescue instead of which a considerable amount of time was spent to rescueing them." | "Had they been equipped correctly they should have been able to self-rescue instead of which a considerable amount of time was spent to rescueing them." |
| Earlier reports said the American woman, who was on a ledge, closer to the surface than the others, was first to be freed. | Earlier reports said the American woman, who was on a ledge, closer to the surface than the others, was first to be freed. |
| One caver was stuck half way down 330ft (100m) while the remaining one was 179m down. | One caver was stuck half way down 330ft (100m) while the remaining one was 179m down. |
| Harwood's Hole near Nelson, at the tip of South Island, is said to be one of New Zealand's largest known underground limestone cave complexes. | Harwood's Hole near Nelson, at the tip of South Island, is said to be one of New Zealand's largest known underground limestone cave complexes. |
| It is described by the Radio New Zealand website as being popular with abseilers.It says rescues there are "common". | It is described by the Radio New Zealand website as being popular with abseilers.It says rescues there are "common". |
| Another website showcaves.com warns about the risks of going into the cave, describing it as "dangerous". | Another website showcaves.com warns about the risks of going into the cave, describing it as "dangerous". |
| It says a trip into it involves a 590 ft(180m) free abseil and tells visitors the experience is only for experienced cavers under the guidance of local cavers. | It says a trip into it involves a 590 ft(180m) free abseil and tells visitors the experience is only for experienced cavers under the guidance of local cavers. |