Cavers stranded in underground lake after boat fails in mine sparking rescue bid

21 August 2023 , 08:02

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The two cavers sparked a large emergency response (Image: Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Organisation) WS)

Two cavers sparked a large emergency response after they struggled to navigate an underground lake in an old slate quarry.

The alarm was raised when the pair failed to return from a trip through the Croesor-Rhosydd mine complex in Eryri (Snowdonia) on Saturday. Due to the number of obstacles that must be negotiated the quarry provides an “underground adventure” for cavers.

There are also pits, bridges and zip wires, a 50 metre-wide lake must be crossed. Some people carry their own ropes and inflatable boats on the trip in case existing underground equipment is broken.

At the lake, a boat or canoe left on site must be pulled from one side to another. After receiving the emergency call in the afternoon North Wales Cave Rescue Organisation (NWCRO) gathered 20 team members from across the region, NorthWales Live reports.

Some walked up to the quarry from Tanygrisiau, near Blaenau Ffestiniog, the others drove up from Croesor village to approach from the opposite side. The second group was joined by the Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team.

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The cavers failed to return from a trip through the Croesor-Rhosydd mine complex in Eryri (Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Organisation) WS)

NWCRO said a full search wasn’t needed as one of the missing cavers was found. A spokesperson said: “During the course of the incident one of the missing persons managed to exit the system and was able to provide further details to the team.

“They explained that an in-situ boat used for one of lake crossings had become jammed and they were unable to retrieve it, forcing them to retrace their steps. During this, the second person had become exhausted and was unable to climb the final pitch out of the system.”

The second caver was stuck but otherwise uninjured. An NWCRO team was dispatched into the mine complex to assess their condition and haul them back to the surface.

Experienced explorers recommend carrying your own inflatable boat at Croesor-Rhosydd in case anything ever happens to the in-situ vessel – one day it might not be there. Buoyancy aids are also advised.

On social media, veterans urged better management of the site. “This place should be gated and controlled by someone, like Cwm,” said one caver. “There is going to be a fatal at some point which will ruin it for all the folks who put in the hard work to set everything up.”

Some team members with all the equipment returned to Croesor – the rest walked back to Tanygrisiau. All were off the mountains by 11pm.

• NWCRO’s voluntary team members rely on donations. You can contribute here.

Andrew Forgrave