A man from Brooklyn was rescued after becoming trapped in a narrow crevice inside a cave in upstate New York, spending six hours wedged in the tight space before being freed by a team of rescuers.
The Incident at Merlins Cave
The unidentified man was hiking with friends at Merlins Cave in Canaan, New York, approximately 30 miles from Albany, on May 17. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation received a call about the incident between 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., and rescue crews were suited up shortly after 9 p.m.
Forest Ranger Lieutenant John Gullen reported that the man was “really jammed in there” and described the crevice as “basically designed the exact shape of him.” Despite being only 400 feet away, it took rescuers 20 minutes to crawl to his location.
Friends Attempt Rescue
Three of the man’s friends remained with him and had attempted to free him themselves. However, after many hours in the cave, they all became hypothermic. The cave’s temperature was around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, with 100 percent humidity.
Members of the Albany-Schoharie Cave Rescue Team retrieved a hammer drill to widen the crevice. Gullen stayed with the trapped man for an hour and a half, noting that the man maintained a positive attitude and they even exchanged jokes.
Rescue Operation
When the team returned with the rock drill, Gullen drilled inches away from the man’s head and back. After twenty minutes, a piece of rock was cleared, allowing the uninjured man to wriggle free. Gullen and the man shared a high five upon his release.
Greg Moore, co-captain of the rescue team, confirmed that all the spelunkers were experienced and had permission to be at the site. Around a dozen firefighters, eight rescuers, two doctors, and six spelunkers were on scene. Rescuers had brought miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups for the trapped man.
Emily Davis, the other co-captain, noted that ropes and webbing were used before drilling began. The man was unharmed and grateful for the rescue effort.
