American researcher rescued from deep Turkish cave, describes it as a ‘wild adventure’.
An American Researcher Rescued After Being Trapped in a Turkish Cave for Over a Week
ISTANBUL—In an incredible rescue operation, an American researcher has been successfully pulled out of a cave in Turkey where he fell seriously ill and became trapped 1,000 meters below the entrance for more than a week. The news of his rescue has brought cheers and applause from rescuers across Europe.
The 40-year-old experienced caver, Mark Dickey, emerged from Morca cave in southern Turkey’s Taurus Mountains at 12:37 a.m. local time on Tuesday. Strapped to a stretcher, he was swiftly transported to a hospital in the nearby city of Mersin by helicopter.
Mr. Dickey fell ill on September 2, experiencing stomach bleeding. The cause of his condition remains unknown.
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Lying on the stretcher surrounded by reporters, Mr. Dickey described his nine-day ordeal as a “crazy, crazy adventure.” He expressed his gratitude to the international caving community, Turkish cavers, and the Hungarian Cave Rescue team, among others.
Originally from Croton-on-Hudson, New York, Mr. Dickey was part of an expedition to map the Morca Cave, Turkey’s third deepest, when he fell ill. Unable to climb out on his own, cave rescue teams from Europe quickly mobilized to save him. The operation involved navigating through narrow passages, setting up temporary camps, and installing ropes to pull him up vertical shafts on a stretcher.
Carl Heitmeyer, a friend of Mr. Dickey’s, expressed relief at seeing him finally rescued, stating that the situation was dire in the early days of the operation.
When asked if he believes Mr. Dickey will return to caving, Mr. Heitmeyer replied, “I hope his mom’s not watching, but I would bet on it.”
Among the rescuers who rushed to the Taurus Mountains was Dr. Zsofia Zador, a caving enthusiast and medical rescuer from the Hungarian rescue team. She was one of the first to treat Mr. Dickey inside the cave.
Dr. Zador, an anesthesiologist and intensive care specialist from Budapest, quickly rearranged her schedule and gathered her caving gear and medical equipment to join the rescue mission. She described Mr. Dickey’s reaction upon seeing her in the cave as relieved and hopeful.
According to Dr. Zador, Mr. Dickey was in a stable condition by the time she reached him, thanks to the paramedics who had treated him well. She mentioned that it was a tricky situation, as his condition could deteriorate at any moment, but he managed to stay conscious throughout the ordeal.
The rescue involved around 190 experts from Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Poland, and Turkey, including doctors, paramedics, and experienced cavers. Their combined efforts and expertise made this daring rescue possible.
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