On 14th October 2012 Mendip Cave Rescue were alerted by Avon and Somerset Police after a group of cavers became trapped after their ladder had been accidentally removed from the well known 20' pitch in Swildons Hole. Two cavers (part of a group of cavers, the rest of whom had left the cave taking their ladder with them) were trapped below the 20' pitch without a ladder or life line and were unable to climb out. The police were contacted by one of the group that had exited the cave but felt too tired to re-enter with a ladder.
Mendip Cave Rescue deployed a small team with a ladder and lifeline to assist the stranded cavers out of the cave.