Two cave explorers were rescued from an Eryri slate mine following a six-hour operation by emergency services over the weekend. The incident occurred at the Croesor-Rhosydd slate mine near Blaenau Ffestiniog on Sunday.
The pair, who had become trapped underground, were part of a group of three who had entered the mine. While one of them managed to escape and raise the alarm by calling 999, the remaining two became trapped on either side of a flooded chamber. One of the trapped individuals had also fallen into deep water inside the mine.
The North Wales Cave Rescue Organisation (NWCRO) was called to assist the Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team (AMRT) in the rescue effort. A spokesperson for NWCRO stated, “We were called just before 5pm to assist AMRT with the incident.”
After an initial assessment, it was confirmed that the Croesor-Rhosydd slate mine, a location known to the rescue teams, required specialist caving experience, equipment, and the ability to ascend and descend ropes.
The NWCRO spokesperson added, “One person exited the mine and called 999, reporting that two young persons were trapped underground, one on each side of a flooded chamber. One had fallen into deep water. NWCRO team members were called out and attended from as far afield as Chester and Holyhead, some coming directly from the UK national caving conference in Llangollen.”
An advance team was dispatched to locate the trapped explorers and assess their condition. “When found, they were provided with hot drinks and warm, dry clothing before technical ropework was employed to bring them to a safe location,” the spokesperson explained.
As additional team members arrived, the pair were assisted out of the mine and handed over to the Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team. “While the underground rescue was ongoing, there were concerns for the safety of the individual who had made the 999 call, as they were alone on high ground in deteriorating weather and fading light. An AMRT team was able to find and escort them to the rendezvous point where the rescue teams had gathered,” the NWCRO spokesperson noted.
The rescue operation, which involved close coordination between the NWCRO and AMRT, lasted approximately six and a half hours and saw the involvement of 17 NWCRO members, amounting to over 150 man-hours. The Welsh Ambulance Service Trust (WAST) also supported the incident.
The Croesor-Rhosydd slate mine is a regular site for call-outs, according to the NWCRO, due to its challenging terrain and the need for specialised skills to navigate its depths.
No serious injuries were reported, and all three individuals were safely escorted from the mine by the end of the operation.
