Cavers Safe Following Extended Rescue Operation Amid Severe Weather

A trio of cavers were successfully rescued after a subterranean mission continuing for 30 hours during "appalling conditions" amid the tempest.

The skilled explorers were stranded in the difficult Dowber Gill Passage, near the Yorkshire Dales.

The alarm was raised around 10 PM on Thursday as their expected return didn't happen with one of their wives called the police.

Rescue organizations confirmed more than 100 volunteers participated throughout the "long and difficult" mission, that faced obstacles by deteriorating conditions, rising waters, difficult landscape plus extended periods below surface.

At the moment the explorers were discovered during the night that Friday, rising water levels indicated the most direct path became blocked, compelling both teams to find alternative routes.

Mission coordinator detailed the way if they had reached the explorers slightly sooner, they all could have been safely by morning.

"Regrettably the weather had other ideas in store," he stated.

"The primary risk was flooding and, potentially in specific areas within the passage, drowning.

"Had the water level risen in those areas, conditions would have turned exceptionally risky."

Nearby rescue organizations were called for assistance, including several specialist rescue organizations.

The underground teams operated in shifts to escort the exhausted cavers to the surface, meanwhile surface crews faced "terrible conditions to keep contact plus manage logistics.

At one point, volunteers erected a barrier with waterproof material to channel rising flood water around the cave entrance.

First trapped individual emerged safely in the afternoon on Friday, then the next in the early morning on Saturday and the last explorer a couple hours after.

All three individuals were injured but the rescue leader confirmed they were exhausted due to being exposed and damp over two days.

"Needs resilient individuals to survive that experience," he said.

Emergency responders finally stood down at 07:45.

Even though the storm was predicted to arrive starting Friday, rescue officials explained the caving trip undertaken by the cavers proved "entirely appropriate" accounting for their experience plus the weather conditions that day.

Yet, torrential downpours begun prematurely while also more intensely than forecast.

The men disclosed key details regarding their itinerary – starting at one location to their destination – ahead of their expedition, with team leaders said this "made the difference".

"Without that notification from the wife, nobody would have known these guys were overdue till people observed the cars parked at the location for several days," he concluded.