Man rescued from 54 hour cave ordeal named
He was rescued on Monday after more than 2 days underground
Last updated 10th Nov 2021
An injured man who was rescued from a cave in the Brecon Beacons after spending more than two days trapped inside has been named as George Linnane from Bristol.
The 38 year old was brought out of Ogof Ffynnon Ddu near Penwyllt in the upper Swansea Valley at around 7.45pm on Monday following a 54-hour ordeal.
After being lifted to the surface he was clapped and cheered by rescuers before being helped into a cave rescue Land Rover ready to be transported down to a waiting ambulance.
He's said to be doing 'remarkably well' in hospital following his ordeal.
Mr Linnane is described as an experienced caver - which is reflected in his social media profiles - and had been trapped since Saturday at around 1pm after suffering a fall.
His injuries are said to be non-life threatening, but are believed to include a broken jaw, leg, and spinal injuries.
More than 240 people have been involved in the operation, and at least eight cave rescue teams from around the UK.
Following Mr Linnane's rescue, his mother Sally - who lives in Hampshire - shared an appeal on Facebook for donations to the various volunteer groups that helped save her son's life.
Peter Francis, a SMWCRT spokesperson, said the rescue is the longest in South Wales caving history.
The 74-year-old said: "This is the longest rescue we've ever done but we're very pleased with the progress being made.
"The caver was very unlucky here. He's an experienced caver, a fit caver. And it was a matter of putting his foot in the wrong place.
"He wasn't in a dangerous part of the cave, it's just something moved from under him."
Paul Taylor, spokesman for South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team, said the man had gone into the Cwmdoor entrance of the caves before he fell.
The caves located near to Penwyllt are 300 metres deep, making them the deepest in the UK.
Discovered in 1947, they are also the third longest cave in the UK stretching more than 30 miles.