Cave tragedy averted after eleven students rescued
Eleven students rescued from North Yorkshire cave after being trapped by fast-flowing water
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Saturday, 19, Jan 2008 08:38
Eleven college students have been reunited with their families after being trapped in a North Yorkshire cave by fast-flowing water on Friday.
The Craven College, Skipton, students, aged between 17 and 20, were rescued by emergency services from Dow Cave, Kettlewell, yesterday evening.
Two of the group's four adult leaders had managed to wade out to raise the alarm after heavy downpours flooded the section of the cave, designed as 'beginner level', they were travelling through at 14:45 GMT.
A rescue operation was subsequently launched, led by Upper Wharfedale Fell rescue association and also attended by police, fire and ambulance services.
The 11 students and two remaining adult leaders were safely removed from the cave by about 18:50 GMT.
They were driven to the nearby Blue Bell pub for medical checks before being reunited with their families, who had gathered at Craven College.
College principal Alan Blackwell reassured parents a full inquiry into the incident would be carried out.
"I was notified immediately by staff and was reassured that they had taken students to an area of the cave that never floods and offers a safe haven until the rescue arrived," he said.