CLEVELAND

Emergency Crews Rescue 5 Men Trapped in Virginia Cave

Virginia Department of Emergency Management search-and-rescue coordinator Billy Chrimes said state and local crews had been working Sunday to plan and execute rescue efforts

Authorities said all five men trapped in a cave in southwest Virginia after heavy rains drenched the area have been rescued.

Emergency management officials said six men entered Cyclops Cave near Cleveland and had planned to camp overnight Saturday until conditions worsened because of the rains, which also made it difficult for them to get out.

A 22-year-old man managed to get out about 2 a.m. Sunday and reported that the others were exhausted and suffering from hypothermia.

Two of the men were rescued early Sunday evening before the authorities said they were able to rescue all five around 6 p.m.

Virginia Department of Emergency Management search-and-rescue coordinator Billy Chrimes said state and local crews had been working Sunday to plan and execute rescue efforts.

Now all five men are being airlifted to a nearby hospital.

The cave measures roughly 7 miles long, but Chrimes says the men weren't very far into it when they became trapped.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us