Cavers safe after 30-hour rescue during Storm Amy

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Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association A narrow, rocky passageway within a cave. Two individuals are present, both wearing helmets fitted with headlamps that cast light on the dark, confined surroundings. The person in the foreground is carrying a white bag and appears to be carefully manoeuvring through the tight space. Further ahead, another person is visible, also making their way through the passage.
The cave walls are wet and glistening.

Three men were brought to safety following a cave rescue lasting more than 30 hours in "appalling conditions" during Storm Amy.

The experienced cavers were stranded in the challenging Dowber Gill Passage, near Grassington, North Yorkshire.

The alarm was raised at 22:00 BST on Thursday when they failed to return and one of their wives called the police.

Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association said more than 100 volunteers took part in the "long and difficult" rescue, which was hampered by worsening weather, flooding, rough terrain and long hours underground.

By the time the men were found in the early hours of Friday, rising water levels meant the simplest way out was impassable, forcing the rescuers and the cavers to retrace their steps.

Rescue team leader Derek Hammond described how if they had reached the men just an hour or two earlier, they all could have been home "in time for breakfast".

"Unfortunately the weather had a different plan for us," he said.

"The immediate danger is the water and, potentially in certain parts of the cave, drowning.

"Had the water level risen in those places, it would have been exceedingly dangerous."

Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association A group of individuals, dressed in red and blue jackets, helmets, and equipped with headlamps.
The scene is lit by headlamps and other portable light sources. The terrain is grassy with visible rocks, suggesting a remote or mountainous location.
One person in a blue jacket stands slightly apart from the group. Around the group, various pieces of equipment such as backpacks and bags are scattered.

Neighbouring caving teams were called for assistance, including Calder Valley Search & Rescue Team, Derbyshire Cave Rescue Organisation, Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue Service and Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team.

The underground teams worked in relays to guide the exhausted cavers back, while surface crews endured "appalling" weather to maintain communication and manage logistics.

At one point, team members constructed a dam using plastic sheeting to carry rising flood water past the cave entrance. Traverse lines were installed to help people avoid having to wade through water.

Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association A group of people navigate through a narrow, rocky passage within a cave, dressed in appropriate gear including helmets with headlamps, gloves, and protective clothing. One individual is assisting another by holding onto a rope or harness. The cave walls appear wet and textured, and the scene is primarily lit by the headlamps, which cast light on the immediate surroundings.

The first missing caver was brought to safety at 15:30 BST on Friday, the second at 02:30 on Saturday and the third two hours later.

None of them were injured but Mr Hammond said they were exhausted after being cold and wet for 42 hours.

"It takes a strong man to survive that," he said.

The team finally stood down at 07:45.

Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association Three people dressed in outdoor gear standing beside a small, fast-flowing stream in a hilly, grassy landscape. The individual on the left is wearing a blue jacket and is positioned at the edge of the stream, possibly observing or preparing to cross. The other two individuals are dressed in red outfits; one is standing on rocks close to the water, while the other is slightly further back, also near the stream.
The surrounding terrain is a mix of green grass and scattered rocks, with hills rising in the background. The sky is overcast, suggesting cloudy or rainy weather conditions.

While Storm Amy had been forecast to take effect from Friday afternoon, Mr Hammond said the expedition planned by the men had been "perfectly reasonable" given their experience and the weather conditions on Thursday.

However, heavy rain arrived earlier and more intensely than expected.

The men had shared key details of their route – from Providence Pot to Dow Cave – before setting off, and Mr Hammond said this "saved the day".

"Without that phone call from the wife, nobody would have known these guys were overdue until somebody saw the cars parked outside the cave for a couple of days," he added.

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