Rescue teams were sent to rescue a walker who had fallen around 100ft (30 metres) into an old mine shaft – but were surprised at what else they found upon arrival. The incident occurred at the abandoned mine in Gwynedd.
Local climbers and cavers alerted Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) to the site at Cwmorthin slate quarry near Tanygrisiau, once known as the “Slaughterhouse” due to its poor working conditions and high mortality rates.
However, when team members arrived at the quarry on Saturday August 24, they found the walker already making his way off the hill, reports the Daily Post.
Cavers and climbers nearby had heard the man’s cries for help and had gone to help. Due to them having the right technical gear at hand, and climbing expertise, they were able to extricate the man and lead him to safety.
North Wales Cave Rescue Organisation also responded to the incident and were also stood down on arrival.
The quarry had five floors below the level of the adjacent lake. Major works ended in 1970 but small-scale operations continued until 1997 when the mine finally shut.
In 2023, Go Below opened a “hotel” called Deep Sleep in the mine, some 1,375ft below ground level. It’s only accessible by hiking 45 minutes up the mountain, taking zip lines and crossing flooded chambers.
An MRT spokesperson said: “Remarkably, the casualty was lucky to walk away from such a fall with just bruises and scrapes.
“Thanks to the climbers who happened to be nearby, he was able to get to safety quickly.”
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