BCRC Medical Conference
Mendip Cave Rescue is pleased to be hosting this years BCRC Medical Conference, which is to be held in Priddy Village Hall over the weekend of the 13th and 14th June 2026. This weekend is primarily aimed at cave rescue team members who have a medical qualification - either those who are health care professionals, or who hold a MREW RRMT (Remote Rescue Medical Technician) qualification - but is open to all members of cave rescue teams. More details are available on our website, including a link to purchase tickets.
Incidents 22nd March 2026
On Sunday, 22nd March, Mendip Cave Rescue responded to a protracted 12-hour rescue under the Mendip Hills, where a caver was physically stuck in a tight passage. Whilst managing this incident, a further call was received for assistance at another cave in an unrelated incident, where a caver had sustained a leg injury requiring a careful evacuation over more than 7 hours.
Both cavers who were assisted at these incidents were very well prepared, and their groups followed the correct emergency procedures to ensure that the casualties were looked after whilst the cave rescue response was initiated.
Over 40 volunteer rescuers responded to the two simultaneous incidents with extra MCR team members and members from Gloucester Cave Rescue Group on standby for additional support if required.
Specialist equipment & highly trained volunteers, including medical, rigging, communications and command & control, were deployed to ensure that both rescues were responded to effectively. We hope that the cavers involved will be back caving soon.
MCR would like to thank our local communities for the great support we received during these incidents, including refreshments and facilities. Team members are now busy cleaning and replacing equipment ready for the call out to the next incident.
Incident 7th February 2026
Mendip Cave Rescue were called by Avon and Somerset Police via SARCALL at 14:24 on 7th February 2026 requesting assistance for three cavers who were cold and exhausted, but uninjured, beneath the 20 foot pitch in Swildon's Hole, Priddy. They were appropriately equipped but too tired to climb the ladder pitch safely with the very wet conditions underground following recent persistent rainfall. Fifteen team members attended the rescue, with six being deployed underground, further team members were put on standby should the incident have needed to be escalated to a full team response. The six cave rescuers from MCR entered the cave with extra rigging equipment for the pitch, warming equipment, group shelter & high energy food. The team assisted the group up the 20 foot pitch and out of the cave, and other team members were stood down at 17:24. MCR would like to thank the group for recognising the early signs of cold and exhaustion and calling the team out at the earliest opportunity, hence avoiding what could have been a much more serious rescue.
History of Cave Rescue On Mendip
Alan Gray, the Secretary of Mendip Cave Registry and Archive, has been collating reports of all caving rescue and incidents located in the Mendip Cave Rescue region, from early reports of an incident in Pen Park Hole in 1669 through to the current day. All these reports, plus newspaper articles and extracts from log books, have been compiled into a book giving a thorough history of the cave rescue incidents that have taken place over the last 350 years, along with some information about how cave rescue equipment has evolved over the years. All of Alan's hard work has resulted in a 750+ page PDF book, that is available as a free download from the MCRA website.
