Mendip Cave Rescue (registered charity number 1192357)
Cavers rescuing cavers from under the Mendip Hills for over 80 years
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Incident 3rd May 2025

Mendip Cave Rescue were called by Avon and Somerset Police via SARCALL at 19:52 on 3rd May 2025, following a report that a solo cave diver was overdue and hadn't returned from a trip into Stoke Lane Slocker, Stoke St Michael. This cave has an entrance series to a short, free-divable, sump followed by a series of sumps that can only be explored by experienced cave divers.  A team of MCR members made their way to the cave to search the passages available to non-divers, whilst a team of cave divers was assembled to potentially search the cave passage beyond the sumps. Due to the potentially serious nature of the incident, the whole MCR team was put on standby in case there was a need to transport divers and their equipment through the entrance series. Whilst the diving team was getting ready, the search team in the cave located the missing caver between the free-divable sump and the entrance and escorted him back to the surface, cold and tired but otherwise unharmed, and the SARCALL incident was closed at 21:47 with everyone back on the surface.

Incident 3rd November 2024

Mendip Cave Rescue were called by Avon and Somerset Police via SARCALL at 12:25 on 3rd November 2024, following a report from a member of the public that a rucksack had been found abandoned by the entrance to Goatchurch Cavern in Burrington Combe. Four MCR members went to investigate, with two members going underground at 13:25 to undertake a quick search of the cave. No one was found, and the SARCALL incident was closed at 13:58 with everyone back on the surface. A false alarm with good intentions.

Incident 10th August 2024

Mendip Cave Rescue were called by Avon and Somerset Police via SARCALL at 16:34 on 10th August 2024, concerning a caver with an ankle injury who was unable to exit GB Cave near Charterhouse. A team had entered the cave earlier in the day, but one party member slipped on the climb into Great Chamber, falling 2-3 metres. A small team of MCR members initially went underground with medical equipment, followed by further teams with communications equipment and rigging equipment. The casualty's injured ankle was splinted, and she was kept warm whilst the Ladder Dig pitch was re-rigged. She was then lowered down the pitch and then supported and assisted on the climbs as she made her way out of the cave. Due to the location of the casualty and her injuries, the whole MCR team was put on stand by in case a stretcher carry was required, but fortunately she was able to slowly make her own way to the surface. The SARCALL incident was closed at 22:39, with everyone and all the equipment back on the surface, and was attended by 17 MCR members in total.

Incident 23rd May 2024

Wiltshire Police contacted Mendip Cave Rescue, following a report of smoke coming from an air shaft above Bethel Quarry, and at 21:28 a SARCALL alert was received via Avon & Somerset Police requesting assistance. Two local MCR members attended the scene, and entered the quarry with three officers from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue service, to be stopped by thick smoke. Two fire officers with breathing apparatus went further into the quarry and managed to extinguish a small smouldering fire, whilst a large fan was deployed to help clear the smoke. No people were located within the quarry, and the incident was closed at 22:49.

Incident 11th May 2024

At 00:25 on Saturday 11th May 2024, Mendip Cave Rescue received a SARCALL alert asking for assistance regarding two mine explorers who were unable to exit Box Stone Mine. They had entered the mine on Friday afternoon via a grilled entrance, but were unable to find their way back to their entry point. Instead they found themselves behind the grill at a different entrance and could not exit. They were able to get a mobile phone signal and ask the emergency services for help. Two MCR members attended the scene, along with members of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue service, the Police and a representative from the quarry owner. At 02:00 it was agreed that Dorset & Wiltshire Fire service should remove one of the bars from the grill to allow the explorers to exit, and by 02:42 the incident was closed.

  1. Incident 17th February 2024
  2. Incident 9th December 2023
  3. Incident 3rd December 2022
  4. Incident 2nd March 2022

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