A sudden rush of floodwater swamped the Hidden River Cave yesterday afternoon, trapping the group inside.
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“At one point, we heard some pretty fast running water down a channel we had come across before, where there wasn’t much, so that was the first kind of indicator”, student Kalan Briggs said. “Eventually, we got to a place called breakdown canyon, where going in it was ankle deep, coming out it was chest deep”, said Russell.
“Two of us were experienced cavers, and we were very pushy”. One canyon, about 1,000 feet into the cave, is particularly prone to unsafe flooding, Foster said.
More than 150 rescue workers had rushed to the scene to begin rescue operations. They were wet and exhausted but not hurt. They had no cellphone service, and after heavy rains caused water to rush into the cave, two police officers entered to help get the group out; they also became stranded. Everyone made it out safely. It was pitch black.
Kentucky State Police say that nineteen college students from Clemson University and four tour guides were trapped in Horse Cave due to flash flooding. Authorities didn’t know exactly where the missing cavers were underground, and the only light the group had came from headlamps they wore. He didn’t have details about how they got out.
Becca Dozier, center, takes off her helmet after having been rescued from Hidden River Cave, Thursday, May 26, 2016, in Horse Cave, Ky. Russell led four of them on what was supposed to be a five-hour trip beginning at 10 a.m., and another guide had a dozen. He said anxiety built like a rock in his stomach.
“We got up that morning and checked the forecast as we always do”. They emerged about 4:30 p.m.
“I’ve never been more happy to see the sunlight”, Foster said.
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Local broadcaster WAVE reported that people were visiting the Hidden River Cave and American Cave Museum in the small city of Horse Cave when flooding trapped them inside.
