A caver pinned underground by a large boulder was rescued after a dramatic operation lasting more than 10 hours in a remote cave in the Brecon Beacons.
South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team (SMWCRT) was called out at around 2pm on Sunday, August 30, after reports that a caver had become trapped in Ogof Gwynt Yr Eira, in the Black Mountain area north-west of Ystradgynlais.
The casualty had become pinned by their helmet beneath a sizeable rock at the top of a pitch and was unable to free themselves.
Rescue volunteers already based at the nearby South Wales Caving Club were among the first to respond, with further team members mobilised following an alert from Dyfed-Powys Police.
Faced with a delicate operation underground, rescuers established communication with the trapped caver before carefully digging away rock and debris.
Throughout the rescue, team members monitored the casualty's condition while working to keep them warm and comfortable deep inside the cave system.
As the operation continued, crews also excavated the cave entrance in case a stretcher evacuation became necessary.
After spending hours trapped underground, the casualty was eventually freed and assessed by medics.
The caver was found to be well enough to leave the cave with assistance after recovering some energy.
They emerged shortly after midnight on Monday, more than 10 hours after the rescue effort began.
In a statement, South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team said: “The casualty had been pinned by their helmet by a sizable boulder at the head of a pitch and could not free themself.
“Throughout the rescue, team members kept the casualty warm and comfortable, monitoring their condition until they could be safely freed from the rockfall.
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“Once freed, the casualty was assessed by medics and was found well enough to make an assisted exit after they had recovered their energy.”
The organisation thanked the Welsh Ambulance Service, the Hazardous Area Response Team and Dyfed-Powys Police for their support during the operation.
SMWCRT is a volunteer-run charity that provides underground rescue assistance across South and Mid Wales and relies on public donations to fund its work.
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