A spelunker was swiftly taken to the hospital from a treacherous underground area when a zip wire malfunctioned.
Mountain rescuers sprang into action following the climber’s fall onto rocks in the renowned “snakes and ladders” cave, known for its challenging features such as the “chamber of horrors” and a perilous “bridge of death” suspended above water.
Colleagues raised the alarm upon exiting the cave at Croesor-Rhosydd complex near Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, after the zip wire snapped while the climber attempted to traverse the lake. A Coastguard rescue helicopter promptly arrived with a stretcher.
Rescuers highlighted that the location is the most frequently rescued underground site in North Wales, emphasizing the necessity for climbers to possess experience and their own equipment. Visitors can navigate between twin quarries underground using ropes, suspension bridges, zip wires, and inflatable boats, with a recommendation to leave details and timings with a third party as a safety precaution.
The North Wales Cave Rescue Organisation (NWCRO) responded to the incident at the mine following an alert on a Sunday afternoon. The South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team also provided assistance.
After a few team members were airlifted earlier, the remaining party made their way to Rhosydd to gather the rest of the injured climber’s group. Subsequently, they descended to Tanygrisiau where the visitors’ vehicles were parked.
An NWCRO spokesperson reported that the casualty had managed to exit the cave independently and was awaiting assistance at the Rhosydd entrance. The helicopter was deployed to transport the casualty to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor.
While rescue call-outs decreased last year, concerns have been raised about potential future tragedies. A local climber expressed apprehension, stating, “This through-route is a disaster waiting to happen. I am not in favor of access restrictions, but it seems inevitable that a call-out for body recovery will occur.”
The Croesor slate mine, which commenced small-scale quarrying operations in 1846, temporarily closed about thirty years later before reopening in 1895. Post-World War II, it served as an underground storage facility for explosives.
The mine is linked to the nearby Rhosydd quarry through a tunnel that remains accessible to cavers.