Co Fermanagh: man rescued from cave after seven-hour operation

A man has been pulled from a cave in Co Fermanagh - after a seven-hour rescue operation.

He had become stuck on the return leg of a planned caving trip on the Marlbank on the north side of Cuilcagh mountain.

It followed a rescue mission undertaken by the Irish Cave Rescue Association late last night.

On its Facebook page the Association said: "The man became too tired to progress while he was on the return leg of a planned caving trip in a system on the Marlbank on the north side of Cuilcagh Mountain.

"After the alert was raised at 20.55, local ICRO volunteers arrived to the scene at about 21.15, with volunteers put on alert across Ireland at 22.45.

"ICRO reached the man quickly and assessed his condition.

"A "hot point" was established underground where he was warmed and fed.

"Meanwhile, rock breaking and rescue rigging teams engineered a bypass to a constricted section of passage near the entrance.

"This allowed the man to be hauled up via the new route to the surface."

The statement added that the caver was brought safely to the surface and the team was stood down at 4am. No injuries were reported.

"ICRO would like to thank all of its volunteers for travelling through the night and assisting with this successful outcome," the statement added.