An American Caver Rescued In Turkey After Being Trapped For Days
An American caver rescued in Turkey after being trapped for days. More than a week after becoming severely ill and too weak to make his own way out of one of Turkey's deepest tunnels, a dramatic and intricate multinational rescue mission to extricate an American man from the caves was successful on Tuesday.
Sep 13, 202326411 Shares377302 Views
An American caver rescued in Turkeyafter being trapped for days. More than a week after becoming severely ill and too weak to make his own way out of one of Turkey's deepest tunnels, a dramatic and intricate multinational rescue mission to extricate an American man from the caves was successful on Tuesday.
Mark Dickey, 40, an adept and experienced caver, was allegedly suffering from gastrointestinal bleeding after participating in a study group's exploratory excursion in the Morca Cave.
The Turkish Caving Federation said that American adventurer Mark Dickey was rescued from a cave in southern Turkey on Monday night. Dickey "was taken out of the last exit of the cave" shortly after midnight local time, according to the federation's social media posts.
“„Thus, the cave rescue part of the operation ended successfully. We congratulate all those who contributed!- The Turkish Caving Federation
The cave is located in southern Turkey's Taurus Mountainrange and may reach depths of up to 1,276 meters (4,186 ft).
The Rescue Experience
A massive rescue operation was begun, including teams of experienced cavers from across the world as well as Turkish professionals.
A representative of Turkey’s disaster and emergency management authority (AFAD) said on Tuesday as footage emerged of Dickey being stretchered out of the cave with a grin on his face:
“„Mark Dickey is out in the hands of a rescue worker (and) seems fine at first look.- Recep Salci
Dickey expressed his astonishment when resurfacing from the cave and conveyed his gratitude to the rescue troops and the Turkish authorities for their prompt and unquestioning efforts in preserving his life.
“„I was underground for far longer than ever expected with an unexpected medical issue. I don’t quite know what’s happened but I do know that the quick response by the Turkish government to get the medical supplies that I needed in my opinion saved my life. I was very close to the edge.- Mark Dickey
Debbie and Andy Dickey, Dickey's parents, praised the successful rescue mission, saying the news that their son was safe was indescribably relieving and filled them with incredible joy.
It is an event that all involved in the extensive rescue effort worked so significantly hard for, they said, adding that it had been a “tremendous outpouring of help” – also thanking the Turkish government.
“„Mark is strong and we believe in his strength but fully knew that he was in dire need of tremendous and immediate support.- Debbie and Andy Dickey
Saved From One Of Turkey’s Deepest Caves
Agnes Berentes, a photographer from Hungary who went in the cave where Dickey was trapped said that it has high vertical shafts, several deep pits, and tight corridors. Berentes estimated that the deep blow temperatures were roughly 4 degrees Celsius (39 degrees Fahrenheit).
His condition, which was suffering from serious gastrointestinal bleeding, added to the dangers and problems. At one time, his health was so critical that physicians and rescuers had to give him a blood transfusion deep inside the cave.
The European Cave Rescue Association (ECRA) stated it initially got a call about Dickey's situation on September 2. This prompted an international rescue effort headed by at least 200 humanitarian workers from nations like the United States, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Ukraine.
ECRA authorities stated that the rescue attempt was separated into seven segments at differing depths. Teams labored around the clock to bring Dickey to 180 meters (590 feet) below the surface and then retrieve him from the cave. Dickey was successfully removed at 12:37 a.m. local time on Tuesday, according to the Turkish Caving Federation.
A medical professional was there beside Dickey within the cave, and rescue personnel were promptly provided with real-time updates via a pre-existing communication channel. In the captured photographs of the incident, the individual can be shown reclining and being extricated by rescue personnel employing harnesses.
Final Words
Dickey started the Caving Academy, a non-profit for cavers, after a decade as a National Cave Rescue Commission teacher. He explored caverns in 20 US states and 10 countries. He started caving in the 1990s and was the Caving Academy's executive director and European Cave Rescue Association's medical commission secretary.
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