Caver from North-east tragically dies after fall in North Yorkshire

Pen Y Ghent limestone pavement Ribblesdale from Sulber Moss near Horton in Ribblesdale dawn
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


A caver has tragically died after falling at a rockface in North Yorkshire.

The Cave Rescue Organisation was called to Diccan Pot in Selside, Horton in Ribblesdale, on Sunday (January 19) at approximately 12.27pm following reports of an accident. A group had heard a 'bang' and discovered the rope taut, prompting fears for the man's safety.

Rescuers quickly reached the scene and found the man, from the Durham area, unresponsive at the bottom of the pitch. Despite efforts, he was pronounced dead by the Yorkshire Ambulance Service after being retrieved from the cave, reports Yorkshire Live..

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The Cave Rescue Organisation recounted: "A caving group reported that one of their number was on the first pitch (100 ft / 30m) of Diccan Pot when they heard a bang. When they pulled at the rope, they found that it was taut."

"Diccan is part of the Long Churn Cave / Alum Pot system and access to the first pitch is by a traverse, meaning that someone standing at the top cannot see down it. Fearing that their team-mate might be suspended on the rope, the group called for help."

"The first CRO members to reach the casualty found him lying at the bottom of the pitch and were unable to find any sign of life. With the site recorded for Police purposes, members lifted the man carefully into a stretcher and hauled him to the surface where YAS paramedics confirmed that life was extinct."

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"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the caver. We are grateful to the University of Leeds for the use of their Pennine Hut as a base."

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police added: "Emergency services were called to Diccan Pot at Selside, Horton in Ribblesdale, at 12.18pm on Sunday (January 19) following a report that a caver had fallen."

"Sadly, the 64-year-old man from the Durham area died at the scene and his body was recovered by the cave rescue team. There are no suspicious circumstances, and a report is being prepared for the coroner."

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