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No 216: FEBRUARY 1966 The Belfry Journal – Volume Twenty – Number Two We start with the most topical news – of the Cuthbert’s rescue trip last weekend…
CUTHBERT’S RESCUE A tourist party, leader R.S. King, descended via Pulpit pitch intending to return by the fixed ladders. It was arranged that John Stafford and companion should reverse this route, and carry out the tackle from Pulpit. The two parties crossed in the stream passage below Bypass at approximately 1pm. Shortly after this, John slipped and fell a short distance from the downstream entrance to Bypass Passage. He suffered head and ankle injuries and was immobilised. His companion went for help and contacted a party led by R. Stenner. Meanwhile, Kangy’s party on the way out, checked and found Pulpit still tackled although enough time had elapsed for John to completed this part of the route. King went straight to the surface to enquire and establish that John was still in the cave. The time by then was 2pm. A search programme was then arranged. At this point, Stenner came out of the cave with the news of John’s position and injuries. A rescue was organised and a party went to John with medical kit arriving at 2.30pm. Soon after this, John was roped to the carrying sheet and lifted via Sentry Passage to Upper Traverse. By this time, pitches were being rigged throughout the Lower Traverse – Pulpit rescue route and the doctor had arrived at Upper Traverse. At 3.30pm, John began to recover from the initial blow to the head and it was recommended that he should not be transported in the sheet, but should be assisted. His condition at that stage was that he was badly stunned and unable to stand without assistance. He was put into an exposure suit and his sprained ankle strapped. A climbing harness consisting of a seat and shoulder sling linked with a karabiner was fitted, and this was used for all subsequent lowering and raising operations. The remainder of the rescue went very smoothly. The only departures from previously practised drill being that, fortunately, a carrying sheet was not required. John was able to give some assistance at awkward places; he was hauled up Pulpit without a pulley, two men being stationed on the pitch to assist. The man belayed at the projecting flake was particularly useful. On the Entrance Rift, John was clipped to the ladder by his harness and pulled up with the ladder. He was out of the cave by 8.00pm. Thanks are due to the cavers and to the doctor, all of whom so willingly helped and made the rescue a success. The unsung heroes of this rescue should not however, be forgotten – all the members who, in practice rescues, worked out the route, placed the rawlbolts in precisely the right places and familiarised themselves and others with the techniques, thus saving many hours. R.S. King. Readers may like to know that the latest report on John is that he is recovering well and will be about again. Anita – John’s wife, would like to thank all those who took part for getting John out so smartly. _______________________________________________________________________________________ With springtime just – we hope – round the corner, we think it is a suitable point at which to publish the relevant information about the Ian Dear Memorial Fund for the benefit of younger members who may be starting to plan trips abroad. You will find this information on the next following page of this B.B.