Post by L Roebuck on Jul 20, 2006 7:56:35 GMT -5
Red faces over ‘lost’ cavers
Wiltshire - Latest News
A TEAM of cavers emerged from Box quarry oblivious that a major rescue operation had been launched to search for them after a confused friend reported them missing.
The nine Swindon men went down the old mines at 9.30pm on Monday but a misunderstanding meant that when the team hadn't called by 10pm the expedition leader's girlfriend became worried.
She called police at midnight to report the team missing. More than 15 police officers attended the scene cordoning off roads surrounding the area. The police helicopter was launched and the Mendip Cave Rescue Team was called.
The group eventually resurfaced at 2.10am, which was on schedule according to them.
The embarrassed girlfriend later apologised to the rescue team for the unnecessary call out and police warned the group to be more organised in future.
Acting sergeant Richard Tottle of Chippenham Police said: "To their credit the (caving) team were very well prepared, with torches, safety equipment, spare batteries and suitable clothing.
"Unfortunately they failed to ensure someone knew exactly what time they would be back, which wasted a lot of resources."
Police had to establish that no cavers had been left in the quarry, despite the party insisting they were all safe.
Cars had to be checked to see if each caver could account for the vehicles parked before the group could go home.
Article: www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/headlines/display.var.840795.0.red_faces_over_lost_cavers.php
Wiltshire - Latest News
A TEAM of cavers emerged from Box quarry oblivious that a major rescue operation had been launched to search for them after a confused friend reported them missing.
The nine Swindon men went down the old mines at 9.30pm on Monday but a misunderstanding meant that when the team hadn't called by 10pm the expedition leader's girlfriend became worried.
She called police at midnight to report the team missing. More than 15 police officers attended the scene cordoning off roads surrounding the area. The police helicopter was launched and the Mendip Cave Rescue Team was called.
The group eventually resurfaced at 2.10am, which was on schedule according to them.
The embarrassed girlfriend later apologised to the rescue team for the unnecessary call out and police warned the group to be more organised in future.
Acting sergeant Richard Tottle of Chippenham Police said: "To their credit the (caving) team were very well prepared, with torches, safety equipment, spare batteries and suitable clothing.
"Unfortunately they failed to ensure someone knew exactly what time they would be back, which wasted a lot of resources."
Police had to establish that no cavers had been left in the quarry, despite the party insisting they were all safe.
Cars had to be checked to see if each caver could account for the vehicles parked before the group could go home.
Article: www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/headlines/display.var.840795.0.red_faces_over_lost_cavers.php