Mendip Cave Rescue

Mendip Cave Rescue received a SARCALL message from Avon and Somerset Police at 01:31 on 19th November 2020 on behalf of their colleagues from Wiltshire Police (who don't currently use SARCALL) for an incident at Box Stone Mines, concerning a group of 4 people reported lost in the mine. The 4 explorers had entered the mine the previous day and found their way through to the "Bat Grill" entrance, which is currently bolted shut preventing their exit, where they managed to get a mobile phone signal to call for assistance, and used the What 3 Words application on their phone to report their location. Five experienced local cavers who know the mine well were able to attend the scene and quickly located the group from the surface and provided them with "space blankets" to keep them warm. Three of them then entered via another nearby entrance and made their way to the group to escort them to the surface. The incident was closed at 04:06 with everyone safely back on the surface.

Mendip Cave Rescue were called by Avon and Somerset Police via SARCALL at 20:50 on 5th November 2020, concerning an overdue party visiting Single Way mine at Bathampton. Whilst MCR wardens were preparing to respond, further information came through that the missing party had been located by their cars by officers from Avon and Somerset Police, and the incident was closed at 21:03.

Mendip Cave Rescue held a surface training session at Fairy Cave Quarry on Sunday the 27th September 2020. 17 MCR wardens enjoyed a day in the sunshine, whilst practising hauling and rigging techniques, rock splitting and lifting, and some casualty first aid, including familiarisation with the new Slix stretcher.

Preparing the new slix stretcherPreparing the new slix stretcher

Photographs taken by Mark Kellaway

In the new slix stretcherSetting up the Blackhawk jack

Photographs taken by Estelle Sandford

Mendip Cave Rescue were called by Avon and Somerset Police via SARCALL at 10:50 on 9th September 2020 for an incident in Wookey Hole Caves in Wookey Hole. A male visitor in his 80s was complaining of breathing difficulties during the show cave tour. South Western Ambulance Service were also called, and after an assessment by the SWAS paramedic the casualty was able to walk out of the showcave to a waiting ambulance. One MCR warden attended along with ambulance service, and the incident was closed at 11:33 with the casualty safely escorted to the ambulance.

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