RDAU26_0607_MAIN BOOK

SMWCRT cover in 15 minutes took hours. The party stopped frequently so the doctors could check George’s vital signs. twenty six hours had passed when the rescue party reached an underground river. They attached floats to the stretcher, and George was moved along the rushing water. They tried to keep him dry as they battled the upstream current. Some rescuers stood in the Rescuers formed a human chain to carry George out of Ogof Ffynnon Ddu. shallow water; some lay down in it so he could be passed over their backs. The team had to move with care. Aside from keeping George safe and stable, they needed to ensure none of the people helping was hurt during the rescue. Meanwhile, Martin Grass and his team of riggers, who work with ropes and ladders, had arrived Sunday morning. Ten years earlier, Martin had been involved in a similar rescue in the same cave and knew the terrain was too difficult, due to the size and shape of the passages, to take George out the way he had gone in. The team spent the day preparing an alternative exit. some 42 hours had passed since George fell into the rift. It was early Monday morning. He and his rescuers now faced the last, but most technically demanding, portion of the rescue. Dr. Sloan was reassured by George’s groans while he was raised vertically up an 18-metre slope. It was a sign that he was breathing, though he vomited periodically—on himself and the person below. The passages between the top of the 104 june/july 2026 slope and Salubrious Passage—the home stretch where the going would be easier—were so tight and twisting that George lost a toothwhen his head hit the cave wall. George’s injuries and nausea, along with the narrowness of the pas- sage, slowed progress to a crawl. More than five hours later they emerged into Salubrious Passage. In the larger, more welcoming terrain, medics stopped to check on George. Then 70 people formed a human chain, passing the stretcher along. George looked up into a sea of faces, many of which he recognised. This is almost enjoyable! he thought. Finally, at around 7 p.m. on Monday, November 8—54 hours after he fell— George was carried outside, greeted by many of the almost 300 people who had come together to save him. An ambulance whisked him to hospi- tal, and over the next fewdays he under- went surgery on his jaw and leg. Mel and Mark, who were back at their homes waiting for news, breathed sighs of relief when they learned that their friend was out of the cave—if in serious condition. Julie had also returned home andwas able to talk with George when he got to the hospital. Covid-19 restriCtions meant that Mel and Mark couldn’t visit George in hos- pital, but they kept in touch with himby phone. He was discharged after 16 days in hospital and made a full recovery. The three friends met at the club the following year to celebrate BonfireNight. This time the beer was flowing and there were nomishaps. George resumed caving eight months after the accident and has, along with Mark, trained to become a rescuer at SMWCRT, helping stricken cavers to safety. “Even after three years, I still occasion- ally bump into someone at the caving club and get the inevitable story of my rescue,” says George. “It usually starts with ‘You’re looking better than last time I saw you …’ I appreciate everyone has their own story of the rescue. I amgrate- ful to each and every one of them.” The South &MidWales Cave Rescue Team relies on donations. To contribute, please visit smwcrt.org . readersdigest.com.au 105