American Caver Rescued Safely After 12-Day Ordeal in Turkish Cave
The American cave diver who was stranded underground in Turkey has been rescued. According to the New Jersey First Response Team, which he directs, Mark Dickey, 40, has been stuck underground since August 31 after becoming ill more than 3,400 feet below the surface.
The Turkish Caving Federation reported that Dickey was removed from the cave at 12:37 a.m. local time on Tuesday, calling the operation “successful.” According to Dickey, he initially believed he would survive, but as his condition worsened, he started to have second thoughts.
The Turkish Ministry of National Defense, the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, the European Cave Rescue Association, and the cave rescuers were all thanked by the New Jersey First Response Team for their efforts in saving Dickey.
As his condition improved enough for him to be moved, a team that included medical personnel started an evacuation late last week, according to cave officials. A passage to the surface has previously been cleared by volunteers. Dickey was in a critical, perhaps fatal condition on Sunday when the Hungarian Cave Rescue Service arrived, according to authorities.
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Against the Odds
He had a blood transfusion as well as heavy dosages of stomach medicine that saved his life.
Rescuers said that Dickey’s condition improved enough as a result of the intervention for him to stand up again. Twelve days after becoming trapped, Dickey was hauled through the cave on camera, laying on a stretcher.
With only 590 feet remaining, a rescue team transported Dickey while he rested on a stretcher in a rest area. According to the European Cave Rescue Organization, the team carrying the stretcher had passed a bivouac site on Sunday that was about 1,640 feet (500 meters) below ground.
Dickey had been helping with the cave exploration when he suddenly became ill with stomach difficulties that rapidly developed into life-threatening bleeding and vomiting. That team is led by Dickey and is made up of volunteers with expertise in cave and mine rescues.
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Source: Newsbreak
