Rescue effort underway for American caver who fell ill exploring deep cave in Turkiye
CTV
Turkish and international cave rescue experts are working to save an American speleologist trapped at a depth of more than 1,000 metres in a cave in southern Turkiye after he became ill.
Turkish and international cave rescue experts are working to save an American speleologist trapped at a depth of more than 1,000 metres (3,280 feet) in a cave in southern Turkiye after he became ill.
Mark Dickey, 40, became sick during an international expedition in Morca cave in southern Turkiye's Taurus Mountains, within the Mersin province, according to the European Cave Rescue Association. He has gastrointestinal bleeding and has been unable to leave the cave on his own, the association said on its website.
It described Dickey as "a highly trained caver and a cave rescuer himself" who is well known for his participation in many international expeditions. He is secretary of the association's medical committee.
Dickey was on an expedition mapping the 1,276-metre (4,186-feet) deep Morca cave system for the Anatolian Speleology Group Association (ASPEG) before becoming sick at around 1,000 metres deep, according to Yusuf Ogrenecek of the Speleological Federation of Turkiye.
Turkish disaster relief agency AFAD and rescue team UMKE are working with Turkish and international cavers on a plan to hoist Dickey out of the cave system, the rescue association said.
Ogrenecek of the Speleological Federation of Turkiye told The Associated Press that Dickey's condition has stabilized, and that he is in "good spirits."
"Mark's condition continues to improve," the federation tweeted. "Doctors will decide whether it is possible for him to leave without a stretcher."
