Incident 10th August 2024
Mendip Cave Rescue were called by Avon and Somerset Police via SARCALL at 16:34 on 10th August 2024, concerning a caver with an ankle injury who was unable to exit GB Cave near Charterhouse. A team had entered the cave earlier in the day, but one party member slipped on the climb into Great Chamber, falling 2-3 metres. A small team of MCR members initially went underground with medical equipment, followed by further teams with communications equipment and rigging equipment. The casualty's injured ankle was splinted, and she was kept warm whilst the Ladder Dig pitch was re-rigged. She was then lowered down the pitch and then supported and assisted on the climbs as she made her way out of the cave. Due to the location of the casualty and her injuries, the whole MCR team was put on stand by in case a stretcher carry was required, but fortunately she was able to slowly make her own way to the surface. The SARCALL incident was closed at 22:39, with everyone and all the equipment back on the surface, and was attended by 17 MCR members in total.
Incident 23rd May 2024
Wiltshire Police contacted Mendip Cave Rescue, following a report of smoke coming from an air shaft above Bethel Quarry, and at 21:28 a SARCALL alert was received via Avon & Somerset Police requesting assistance. Two local MCR members attended the scene, and entered the quarry with three officers from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue service, to be stopped by thick smoke. Two fire officers with breathing apparatus went further into the quarry and managed to extinguish a small smouldering fire, whilst a large fan was deployed to help clear the smoke. No people were located within the quarry, and the incident was closed at 22:49.
Incident 11th May 2024
At 00:25 on Saturday 11th May 2024, Mendip Cave Rescue received a SARCALL alert asking for assistance regarding two mine explorers who were unable to exit Box Stone Mine. They had entered the mine on Friday afternoon via a grilled entrance, but were unable to find their way back to their entry point. Instead they found themselves behind the grill at a different entrance and could not exit. They were able to get a mobile phone signal and ask the emergency services for help. Two MCR members attended the scene, along with members of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue service, the Police and a representative from the quarry owner. At 02:00 it was agreed that Dorset & Wiltshire Fire service should remove one of the bars from the grill to allow the explorers to exit, and by 02:42 the incident was closed.
Incident 17th February 2024
Mendip Cave Rescue were called by Avon and Somerset Police via SARCALL at 16:41 on 17th February 2024, concerning a caver with equipment failure who was unable to exit Hunters Hole in Priddy. Two cavers had entered the cave earlier in the day, but one of them was unable to ascend the pitch. A small party of MCR members attended with some spare equipment, re-rigged the lower pitches and the caver was then able to make his way to the surface unaided. The SARCALL incident was closed at 18:19, with everyone and all the equipment back on the surface, and was attended by 7 MCR members in total. MCR are very grateful to Roger Dors, landlord of the Hunters Lodge Inn, for opening the pub earlier than usual to allow members of the caving party (and MCR members!) somewhere to warm up and shelter from the wet and windy weather.
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