A CAVER was freed yesterday morning after spending almost 20 hours “stuck fast” in rocks 250 feet underground in the Marble Arch caves system that runs between Co Fermanagh and Co Cavan.
The Polish man, who lives in the Republic, went exploring the caves early on Sunday morning with two compatriots, according to the PSNI.
However, sometime before 10am he became wedged in a fissure in the rocks.
He was unable to move forwards, backwards, or to turn, explained a police spokesman.
His friends contacted gardaí in Ballyconnell, Co Cavan on Sunday evening, who in turn contacted the PSNI.
Volunteers from the Irish Cave Rescue Organisation assisted by the PSNI search and rescue team were deployed to the area.
The rescue team was able to get water and some warm food to the man as they worked away at the rocks throughout the rescue operation.
The team used drills and what members described as small amounts of explosive charges to slowly clear some rock so that the man could be moved.
The man was eventually freed at about 4.30am yesterday and brought to the surface.
The man declined hospital treatment and returned home to the Republic with his friends.
