Rescue operation under way to free injured explorer from German cave

A German explorer who has been trapped in Germany’s deepest cave underneath the Bavarian Alps for nine days was being winched back to safety yesterday in a dramatic rescue operation.

Footage from inside the Riesending cave near Berchtesgaden shows Johann Westhauser being pulled through the cave on a stretcher.

The scientist (52), one of the researchers who discovered the cave, had been lying 1,000m underground since being injured by a rock fall on June 6th. He was not able to climb back to the surface on his own as the ascent involves steep shafts and narrow tunnels. Doctors had to climb 4km (2.5 miles) into the cave to reach Mr Westhauser and ensure he was well enough to be brought out.

An international rescue team has now managed to move Mr Westhauser 350m in the first of four stages to bring him to the surface. Some 120 experts from Austria, Croatia, Italy, Germany and Switzerland are involved in the operation.

According to the Bavarian mountain rescue service, Mr Westhauser was eating well and feeling well in spite of injuries to his head and having to cope with high levels of humidity. “The patient is feeling well,” said Stefan Scheider.

“He’s cosy and warm in his sleeping bag.”

The rescue operation is expected to cost several million euro, and it remains unclear who or which country will carry the cost.

– (Guardian service)