Although caving accidents
are rare, they do happen, often with fatal results. The following
list of fatal caving accidents is far from a "complete" list of all
caving related deaths. While most deaths are the result of falls or
by drowning, sometimes just standing in the wrong place at the wrong
time can be deadly. Caving can be dangerous and only you know your
limits and abilities. Only you are responsible for your actions. |
- Valhalla Cave, Alabama - June 10 1984, Samuel Crawford,
21, and Michael Hanebaum, 20, were crushed by a 30'30' slab of
rock that flaked off while they were waiting to ascend out.
-
Stevens Gap Pit, Alabama - August 30, 1997, Karen Prowett,
46, switched over to and rappelled off of the end of a short
safety rope.
-
Fern Cave, Alabama - November 2, 1997, Alexia Hampton, 35,
uncontrolled rappel and free fell the last 50 to 100 feet of the
400 foot deep Surprise Pit. Sevier injuries caused her death about
12 hours later as she was almost removed from the cave.
- Ellsions Cave, Georgia - March 10 1999, died from
hypothermia while stranded on rope.
- Hermit Cave, Oklahoma - April 6th 1999, died from
suffocation and exhaustion while stuck.
- Birds Drop, Virginia - March 16th 2000, fall.
-
O-9 Well, Texas - September 30th 2000, Joe Ivy, took a
fall while working on an ongoing aid climbing project to a ceiling
infeeder.
- Redman Cave, Arizona - February 27th 2001, drown
- Lancaster County, Pennsylvania - July 4th 2001, rock
fall entrapment
-
Lori Cori Canyon Cave, Virginia - September 27th 2003,
Dick Graham an experienced caver fell approximately 170' while
rappelling.
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