Injured man rescued from cave after being trapped for more than two days doing 'remarkably well'
How 250 volunteers brought one of their own to safety after a more than 55-hour epic rescue, reports ITV News Correspondent Ben Chapman
An injured man who was trapped in a cave in the Brecon Beacons for more than two days is doing "remarkably well" following one of the longest rescue missions in Welsh history.
The man, who is in his 40s, was brought out of the Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave in the Brecon Beacons, near Ystradgynlais, at around 7.45pm on Monday.
He was clapped and cheered by rescuers after being lifted to the surface. He was then helped into a Land Rover to be transported down to a waiting ambulance.
Around 70 volunteers made their way down the mountain as the man was driven to Morriston Hospital in Swansea.
More than 300 people and cave rescue teams from around the UK were involved in the epic rescue operation.
"We don't normally celebrate at the end of a rescue but we all stopped and cheered tonight" - Rescuer Steve Thomas told ITV News.
Another rescuer, Tom Foord, said he was "happy, relieved" and couldn't wait to "just go and have a cup of tea".
The man, who is described as an experienced caver, had been trapped after suffering a fall at around 1pm on Saturday.
He is believed to have a broken jaw, a broken leg and spinal injuries, although they are not thought to be life-threatening.
Gary Evans, of South & Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team, said it was the longest amount of time a person has been carried in a stretcher during a cave rescue in the UK.
He said: "The casualty is doing remarkably well if you consider how long he's been in the cave and how long he's been in a stretcher.
"He's doing very well indeed. He's being assessed at the moment."
His colleague Gary Mitchell said the whole team were "ecstatic" the moment they heard the man was finally out and on the surface.
"That sense of relief starts to kick in but actually we've still got people underground to worry about and we still need to make sure that casualty gets the care he now needs," he added.
Gary Evans of South and Mid Wales Rescue Team said the man was "doing remarkably well", while colleague Gary Mitchell said the team were "ecstatic"
Mr Evans explained how difficult and tiring the 55-hour mission was for the rescue teams.
"Any rescue is hard work," he said. "You have to look after yourself, you have to try and conserve energy in something that is very energy-sapping and you've got that extra layer of stress knowing that you're responsible for the life of another person.
"Initially rescuers do well, they're quite robust people but over time it wears you down."
Rescuer Steve Thomas told ITV News that the team had done "several long stints" and were "very tired" but the camaraderie was "superb".
"It's such a great moment. We don't normally celebrate at the end of a rescue but we all stopped and cheered tonight," he said.
"Any rescue is hard work... you've got that extra layer of stress knowing that you're responsible for the life of another person"
"It was a special moment, he's been an amazing guy."
Another rescuer, Tom Foord, summed up his emotions: "Happy, relieved, and it would also be nice to just go and have a cup of tea".
Explaining how the man got stuck in the cave, Peter Francis, a South & Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team spokesperson, said he had been "very unlucky".
"He’s an experienced caver, a fit caver. And it was a matter of putting his foot in the wrong place," he explained.
“He wasn’t in a dangerous part of the cave, it’s just something moved from under him.”
Paul Taylor, spokesman for South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team, said the man had gone into the Cwmdoor entrance of the caves before he fell.
The caves located near to Penwyllt are 300 metres deep, making them the deepest in the UK.
Discovered in 1947, they are also the third longest cave in the UK stretching more than 30 miles.