Rescuers rush to save injured man trapped in Welsh cave for two days
8 November 2021, 09:13 | Updated: 8 November 2021, 18:49
A rescue mission has been mounted to save a man who has been trapped in a South Wales cave for two days.
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He fell while caving in the Ogof Ffynnon Ddu system near Penwyllt in the Brecon Beacons on Saturday.
His injuries from the fall have left him unable to climb out, the South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team said.
However, his injuries are not life-threatening and optimistic rescuers reckon it is only "a matter of time" before he is taken out.
Rescuers have confirmed that the injured man is in his mid-40s, and his family are being updated regularly.
They said the accident "involved rocks", but explained the man wasn't trapped by the rocks.
Peter Francis, 74, a representative of South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team, said: "We can now confirm that the man has multiple injuries but they are not life threatening.
"We're very optimistic now, it's a matter of time before we get him out.
"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."
Rescue workers plan on taking him to car by hospital, with terrible weather conditions preventing an air ambulance from touching down.
About 100 volunteers were at the scene amid heavy fog on Monday, with ambulances waiting for the man to be brought out.
LBC's Daniel Bevan said the atmosphere was positive as workers hope for a good outcome, but it is unclear when the rescue is expected to be completed.
Rescue efforts underway to save man trapped in cave in Brecon Beacons
The South and Mid Wales rescuers were tipped off about the man by another caver and the group has been joined by at least eight rescue teams from across the UK.
The Gloucester Cave Rescue Group, Midlands Cave Rescue Organisation, Derbyshire Cave Rescue Organisation, Mendip Cave Rescue, South East Cave Rescue Organisation, the Cave Rescue Organisation, and Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association are all taking place.
Only experienced cavers are given permission to explore inside Ogof Ffynnon Ddu, which means "Cave of the Black Spring".
It was discovered in 1946 and stretches to 300m deep at its lowest point, while its underground caverns run for more than 30 miles.
This story is being updated
