A team of 70 volunteers, including divers, was mobilised and backed by police from North Yorkshire and Lancashire after reports that two groups of cavers were missing.

All the trapped cavers were rescued unhurt, although one woman needed hospital treatment for hypothermia.

Two cavers had to be brought out underwater through a flooded passage by divers.

The alarm was first raised on Saturday at 7.20pm when seven cavers were trapped at Sunset Hole, near Chapel le Dale, north of Ingleton.


The Clapham-based Cave Rescue Organisation was mobilised and the cavers, who were from the Leeds area, were brought safely to the surface.

As the rescue was taking place, the alarm was raised for a second time at 8.30pm when a member of the public became concerned for a friend who had not returned from Ireby Fell cave on the Yorkshire-Lancashire border between Ingleton and Kirby Lonsdale.

Further reports indicated that more people were trapped. In all 25 people were found to be missing.

One group of 23 was located, but two more were trapped beyond a "sump" – a section of cave permanently flooded.

The 23 were brought out safely.

Members of the Cave Diving Group were brought in and made their way under water to the remaining two trapped cavers. They were then helped through the underwater stretch and brought out.

The rescue went on throughout Saturday night and was completed by 1pm yesterday.

The rescue operation involved the Cave Rescue Organisation, the diving group, Upper Wharfededale Fell Rescue Association, Kendal Mountain Rescue Team and police.

Police said it was one of the biggest underground rescue operations ever mounted in the area.