Rescue of man who fell ill during research mission in 3,000 feet cave could take days

Officials warn it could take 'several days' for an American man to be rescued after he became unwell while down a cave.

American man Mark Dickey went on an expedition down the Morca Sinkhole - 'the third deepest cave in Turkey' - earlier this week, however, he became stuck in the cavern after falling unwell.

Since Monday (4 September), around 150 rescue service workers have been attempting to help the 40-year-old out of the cave, but depending on the stability of his condition, it could take a significant amount of time to help him safely reach the surface.

NATIONAL CAVE RESCUE COMMISSION

The Turkish Caving Federation said, in a post to X (formerly known as Twitter): "In the Morca Sinkhole, the 3rd deepest cave in Turkey with a depth of 1,276 meters (4,186 feet), during an exploration mission involving local and international teams, American caver Mark Dickey fell ill at a depth of 1,120 meters (3,675 feet) and was placed under observation at the cave base camp located at 1,040 meters (3,412 feet)."

Officials report Dickey suffered gastrointestinal bleeding and received six units of blood, delivered by the Hungarian Cave Rescue Service.

While the 40-year-old's condition is said to be stabilizing - Dickey himself saying he's now 'doing well' despite being 'very close to the edge' in a video released Wednesday (7 September) by Turkey's directorate of communications - the challenge remains of getting him safely back out of the deep cave.

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In the video - obtained by the Associated Press - Dickey notes he's 'up' and 'alert' but as a result of not being fully 'healed on the inside' is going to need 'a lot of help' to get out of the cave which has 'narrow winding passages and several rappels,' according to the Turkish Caving Federation.

Indeed, the Turkish Caving Federation adds even in ideal conditions, it would take an experienced caver 15 hours to reach the surface - let alone someone who has suffered serious health problems.

National Cave Rescue Commission (NCRC) member Gretchen Baker tells CNN: "The team on the ground is very happy that Mark’s condition seems to be improving, so that it looks like that he will not have to be in a [rescue] litter the entire way out.

"The more he can help, the faster the rescue can go."

However, she noted the team is still 'anticipating that it will take days to get him out of the cave'.

Facebook/ National Cave Rescue Commission (NCRC)

Turkish Caving Federation spokesperson, Dr Yaman Ozakin, believes it will 'most likely take 10-15 days' or 'maybe more' if Dickey has to be carried out on a stretcher, telling the BBC the cave's narrow passages would have to be 'widened' to facilitate the apparatus.

In an update posted to the Speleology Federation's website at 3:00pm yesterday (Thursday, 7 September), Dickey's condition reportedly 'continues to improve' and doctors are deciding 'whether it is possible for him to leave without a stretcher'.

We wish the rescue teams and Dickey the best of luck!