Caver dies in Yorkshire Dales during 17-hour rescue attempt

The cave was on Fountains Fell in the Yorkshire Dales

A caver has died in the Yorkshire Dales during a 17-hour rescue attempt involving nearly 100 volunteers.

The man is said to have broken his leg in a fall deep within a cave at Curtain Pot, on Fountains Fell, North Yorkshire, on Saturday.

He died before being brought to the surface, according to the Cave Rescue Organisation (CRO).

The CRO said the narrowness of the passages in an unmapped part of the cave caused difficulties for rescuers.

The man, who had been part of a group of three cavers, received aid from a doctor assisted by trained casualty carers.

The cave was unmapped and extremely narrow, according to the Cave Rescue Organisation

The CRO said: "Unfortunately, due to the nature of his injuries, and the extended time needed to create a navigable way out, the casualty succumbed to his injuries and died just prior to the extrication beginning."

The organisation said the attempt to rescue the man had taken 1,600 volunteer hours and "virtually every piece" of caving equipment in its stores.

"Due to the severity and urgency of the situation, a lot of equipment was sacrificed to expedite the potential extraction of the casualty," it said.

The voluntary organisation has made an appeal to replenish its equipment, medical supplies and food and water on its Facebook page.