Details of the terrifying ordeal in Fermanagh released yesterday, revealed that rescuers worked through the night, before successfully hauling the man from the cave, known as a 'pothole' on yesterday morning (Monday].

Explosives and drills were used by police and the Irish Cave Rescue Organisation (ICRO] as they struggled to widen the tunnel which had trapped the stricken caver.

More than 40 rescuers from both Northern Ireland and the Republic were involved in the operation.

A spokesperson for the ICRO said previous exercises at the same 'pothole' contributed to their successful rescue: "This pot hole has been used in the past by ICRO for training exercises. This training, and supports from PSNI and funders undoubtedly contributed to the smooth running and success of the operation."

The alarm was raised by the victim's colleagues, who called the police at 6.00pm. The caver was one of a party of four Polish cavers resident in Dublin, who entered the cave on Sunday morning on a recreational cave trip expected to last just a few hours.

Following notification to the Police Service of Northern Ireland, ICRO commenced an investigation of the situation, and instigated a callout of its members, from both sides of the border.

In a statement released by the ICRO, the scale of the rescue operation was revealed: "Forty ICRO personnel from Fermanagh, Belfast, Clare, Dublin and Sligo were called out to participate in the cave rescue, 12 of the cave rescue personnel are Fermanagh residents. The cave rescue team comprised of medical doctors, vertical caving and communication experts. They took in medical supplies, sleeping bags, tents, food and specialised communication equipment (as conventional radios do not work effectively underground).


"Over a period of ten hours stretching through the night, ICRO personnel worked in confined and difficult cave passages to make the caver as comfortable as possible. Using specialised equipment the rescuers made the passage wider to facilitate the cavers exit. The uninjured caver was in good spirits and ICRO personnel hauled him up a number the vertical sections to the surface using ropes at approximately 6.00am on Monday, May 11."

The Irish Cave Rescue Organisation (ICRO), who are a self-help organisation made up of volunteer cavers specialising in cave rescue, were assisted by the Police Service for Northern Ireland Search and Rescue Team (PSNI).

Police issued a clarification stating the cave or pothole which trapped the man, was not linked to the famous 'Marble Arch Caves'.