An American caver was rescued after being trapped in a Turkish cave for more than a week. Mark Dickey, 40, became seriously ill on September 2 while mapping the Morca cave in southern Turkey’s Taurus Mountains. He was found 1,000 meters (more than 3,000 feet) below the cave’s entrance.
Rescuers from across Europe worked for days to get Dickey out of the cave. They had to widen some of the cave’s narrow passages, install ropes to pull him up vertical shafts on a stretcher, and set up temporary camps along the way.
Dickey was finally rescued early Tuesday morning. He was taken to a hospital in the nearby town of Mugla, where he is said to be in good condition.
The rescue was a major undertaking, and it required the cooperation of many different people and organizations. The Turkish government, the European Cave Rescue Association, and many individual cavers all played a role in getting Dickey to safety.
This rescue is a reminder of the dangers of cave exploration. However, it is also a testament to the dedication and skill of cave rescue teams. Thanks to their efforts, Dickey is alive and well today.
