A man in his 20s has been rescued after becoming trapped inside a cave system in Fermanagh during a planned caving expedition. The six-hour rescue operation, which took place on the north side of Cuilcagh Mountain, involved over 20 volunteers from the Irish Cave Rescue Organisation (ICRO) and concluded successfully in the early hours of the morning.

What Went Wrong?

The man, whose identity has not been released, embarked on a caving expedition in the Marlbank cave system yesterday. While attempting to exit the cave, he became too fatigued to continue, raising concerns for his safety. Given the complex nature of the cave’s structure, he was unable to find his way back to the surface without assistance.

The alarm was raised at approximately 8:30 pm, and an initial response team of five ICRO volunteers was dispatched to assist. Despite their best efforts, the challenging terrain and the caver’s physical exhaustion made self-rescue impossible. A decision was made to escalate the rescue operation, calling in additional volunteers from across the country.

The Rescue Effort

At 10:45 pm, a wider call for assistance was issued, mobilizing over 20 volunteers from locations including Larne, Belfast, Dublin, and Co Clare. The ICRO team, which specializes in underground rescues, faced an arduous challenge in extracting the stranded caver safely.

Chair of the ICRO, Stephen McCullagh, praised the rapid response and teamwork that facilitated the successful rescue:

“We were alerted around 8:30 pm, and a number of local wardens – highly experienced in rescue operations – arrived at the scene. It became clear that more manpower was required, so we extended the call to the wider ICRO group. With additional volunteers, we were able to engineer a safer route out of the cave, utilizing a vertical haul system.”

The rescuers constructed a rope-based extraction system, which allowed them to safely haul the man out of the cave vertically. By 3:15 am, he had reached the surface, and the rescue operation was officially completed by 4:00 am.

Specialized Teams and Training in Cave Rescues

The ICRO is a specialist, all-Ireland volunteer rescue team dedicated to responding to incidents in caves, potholes, and abandoned mines. The organization, which has bases in Clare and Fermanagh, regularly provides assistance when called upon by An Garda Síochána or the PSNI.

Its core team consists of approximately 60 experienced cavers who are trained in rescue rigging, underground casualty care, first aid, incident management, and communications.

Given the dangers associated with caving, including narrow passageways, difficult terrain, and exhaustion, the ICRO’s expertise is invaluable in saving lives in hazardous underground environments.

Cave Safety: Lessons to Learn

This incident highlights the importance of safety precautions when exploring caves. Experts recommend that cavers:

• Always inform someone of their route and estimated return time
• Ensure they have adequate supplies, including headlamps, helmets, and emergency food and water
• Be physically prepared for the strenuous activity involved in caving
• Avoid caving alone
• Carry communication devices that can function in remote underground settings

The successful outcome of this Fermanagh cave rescue serves as a testament to the dedication and expertise of volunteer rescue teams and serves as an important reminder of the risks associated with caving.

For more stories and insights, visit It’s On

Instagram:@itson.ie

TikTok videos and information:@itson.ie