List of UK caving fatalities

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This is a list of recreational caving fatalities in the United Kingdom. It includes all verified deaths associated with the exploration of natural caves and disused mines in the modern era (post 1880). Deaths involving members of the general public who may have slipped down a shaft, or wandered into a cave without being aware of the risks, have been excluded.

Contents

Caving cannot be considered a particularly dangerous pastime. In 2018, there were up to 4,000 regular cavers in the UK, and about 70,000 people who went on instructor-led courses into caves in the Yorkshire Dales, but there were no fatalities. [1]

List of fatalities

Porth yr Ogof - the scene of 11 fatalities 1 entrance to Porth yr ogof.jpg
Porth yr Ogof - the scene of 11 fatalities

The following is a list of the 137 identified recorded fatalities associated with recreational caving in the UK. The main causes of death have been drowning when cave diving, drowning as the result of flooding or negotiating deep water, injuries incurred from falling from a height, and injuries incurred as the result of rock falls. In ten cases the bodies have not been recovered.

The worst incident in UK caving history was the Mossdale Caverns incident in 1967 when six cavers drowned following an unexpected cloudburst. [2] There have been three incidents when three people have died. The first was when three cavers drowned in Langstroth Pot in 1976 when free-diving short sections of underwater passage as the result of the air in an air bell becoming foul. [3] Three cavers were killed by a rock fall in Ease Gill Caverns in 1988, [4] and three cavers drowned in the Marble Arch system in 1995. [5]

Porth yr Ogof, in South Wales, accounts for eleven fatalities, nine of which were the result of people drowning when negotiating the exit pool. [6] Ease Gill Caverns and its associated entrances accounts for ten deaths; Alum Pot and its associated entrances account for six, as does Mossdale Caverns (all from the 1967 incident).

The only case of a caver dying in the UK as the result of becoming stuck was Neil Moss in Peak Cavern in 1959. The cause of death was foul air building up around him. [7]

DateCaveAreaCauseNameNotes
Sept 1909Square Shaft, Alderley Edge Peak DistrictFallAlexander Rea17-year-old boy on school outing [8] [9]
May 1929West Mine, Alderley Edge Peak DistrictHypothermiaGeorge Etchells
Alfred Hadfield		Bodies found 7 September 1929 [10] [11]
July 1936 Alum Pot Yorkshire Dales  Rock fallMabel BinksPossibly hit by a rock deliberately thrown down the shaft [12] [13]
May 1939 Rowten Pot Yorkshire DalesDrownedJohn LambertFell and subsequently drowned [14] [15]
March 1946West Mine, Alderley Edge Peak DistrictFallArthur Murray [16]
Dec 1946Grange Rigg PotYorkshire DalesHypothermiaHarold SargeantDied following a fall [17] [18]
May 1948West Mine, Alderley Edge Peak DistrictFallLeslie Hunt13-year-old schoolboy [19]
Apr 1949 Wookey Hole MendipDivingGordon Marriott [20]
May 1951Penyghent PotYorkshire DalesHypothermiaJohn Williams [21]
Oct 1954West Mine, Alderley Edge Peak DistrictFallKenneth John Booth16-year-old schoolboy [22]
May 1955 Alum Pot Yorkshire DalesFallJohn Edgar FisherFell from near top of Dolly Tubs pitch when unlifelined [23] [24]
Jun 1957 Porth yr Ogof South WalesDrownedLeonard Garraway [25] [26]
Jan 1958 Goyden Pot Yorkshire DalesDrownedBrian KerrBody not recovered [27] [28]
Jan 1959 Swildon's Hole MendipHypothermiaJohn Wallington [29] [30]
Mar 1959 Peak Cavern Peak DistrictCO2 poisoning Neil Moss Result of being trapped in confined space. Body interred in situ [31]
July 1959Dow CaveYorkshire DalesRock fallDavid Priestman [32]
Dec 1959 Bar Pot Yorkshire DalesFallEric Sugden [33] [34]
Dec 1960 Eastwater Cavern MendipRock fallAlan Hartnell [35] [36]
Jun 1961Coed-y-Mwstwr Woods CaveSouth WalesRock fallTony Lewis [37]
Sep 1961Ball Eye MinePeak DistrictFallGeorge Keeling [38] [39]
Jan 1962Hell HoleYorkshire DalesDrownedEban Beeves [40] [41]
Oct 1962 Alum Pot Yorkshire DalesFallJohn Hopley [42] [43]
Mar 1963Deep Ecton MinePeak DistrictDivingGarry McElliottDiving with British Sub-Aqua Club - not a cave diver [44]
Mar 1963 Longwood Swallet MendipHypothermiaHeather Muirhead [45] [46]
May 1963Mandale MinePeak DistrictDrownedRoger LowDrowned after falling down flooded surface shaft [47] [48]
Nov 1963Marble Steps PotYorkshire DalesDrownedMike McShea [49]
Mar 1964 Lancaster Hole Yorkshire DalesDivingAlan Clegg [50]
Jun 1966 Porth yr Ogof South WalesDrownedRichard Speakman [51]
Jan 1967 Alum Pot Yorkshire DalesFallJames DrummondSchoolboy under supervision [52] [53]
Feb 1967Carlswark CavernPeak DistrictDrownedRobert MacDonald14-year-old schoolboy under supervision [54] [55]
Mar 1967Easter Iron MineForest of DeanFallRex Keene Hemp rope broke when abseiling 90 metre shaft [56] [57]
Jun 1967 Mossdale Caverns Yorkshire DalesDrownedDave Adamson
Geoffrey Boireau
William Frakes
John Ogden
Michael Ryan
Colin Vickers		The bodies were later interred in the far reaches of cave [2] [58]
Oct 1967Sunset HoleYorkshire DalesFallEric LuckhurstRescue formed basis of Sid Perou's film "Sunday at Sunset Pot" [59]
Aug 1968 Porth yr Ogof South WalesDrownedAnthony Stannard [60]
Mar 1969Meregill HoleYorkshire DalesHypothermiaChristopher Hay [61] [62]
Aug 1969 Ease Gill Caverns Yorkshire DalesRock fallDuncan Glasfurd [63] [64]
Sep 1970PollanaffrinNorthern IrelandNatural causesMick Mulligan [65]
Oct 1970Keld HeadYorkshire DalesDivingAlan ErithRemains retrieved 5 years later [66] [52]
Oct 1970 Porth yr Ogof South WalesDrownedStephen Sedgewick [6] [67]
Feb 1971 Porth yr Ogof South WalesDrownedPaul EsserRemains retrieved in 2010 [68]
May 1971 Weathercote Cave Yorkshire DalesRock fallJohn Fellows [69] [70]
Sep 1971 Swinsto Cave Yorkshire DalesFallMichael Midgley [52]
Aug 1972Firehose CaveScotlandDrownedPeter Clements [71]
Mar 1973Knotlow MinePeak DistrictDrownedAlan Evans [72]
May 1973Wood Mine, Alderley Edge Peak DistrictDrownedPaul Shaw14-year-old boy on an outdoors pursuits course [73]
July 1973 Porth yr Ogof South WalesDrownedGraham AlstonTrainee soldier on exercise [6] [74]
Sep 1973 Eldon Hole Peak DistrictFallSulo Sulonen [75]
Apr 1974Holme Hill CaveYorkshire DalesFallPeter Trousdale [76]
Jun 1974 Ogof Agen Allwedd South WalesDivingRoger SolariBody not recovered [77] [78]
July 1974Merlin's CavePeak DistrictDivingJohn Smith [79]
Dec 1974 Gaping Gill Yorkshire DalesFallDavid HuxtableConsidered to be the UK's first SRT fatality [80]
Sep 1975 Ireby Fell Cavern Yorkshire DalesFallStephen Hughes [81]
Feb 1976 Oxlow Cavern Peak DistrictFallStephen Nunwick [82]
May 1976Langstroth PotYorkshire DalesDrownedMartin Blackburn
Brian Fox
Donald Southern		Encountered foul air whilst free-diving [3]
Aug 1976Royal Hopping MinePeak DistrictRock fallLeslie Wheeler [83]
May 1977Blayshaw Gill PotYorkshire DalesRock fallJohn Rhodes [84]
Sep 1977Ilam RisingPeak DistrictDivingMike Nelson [85] [86]
April 1978Wheal Edward MineCornwallFallStella Bourke [87]
Oct 1979Cote Gill PotYorkshire DalesCO poisoningRichard Marvel
John Staniforth		Result of using high explosives [88]
Dec 1979 Ogof Ffynnon Ddu South WalesDrownedJ. Fitton
D.Gough		Washed away [89]
Mar 1980Bull Pot of the WitchesYorkshire DalesDivingIan Plant [90] [91]
Aug 1980 GB Cave MendipNatural causesIan Roberts-Miller [92] [93]
Oct 1980Top SinkYorkshire DalesFallTracy Gibson [94]
Nov 1980Keld HeadYorkshire DalesDivingMark Woodhouse [95] [91]
Feb 1981PollnacromNorthern IrelandDivingDavid WoodsBody not recovered [96]
July 1981 Porth yr Ogof South WalesDrownedAdrian Luck [97] [98]
Nov 1981 Wookey Hole MendipDivingKeith Potter [99] [91]
May 1982 Gaping Gill Yorkshire DalesFallEdward Holstead [100]
May 1982Diccan PotYorkshire DalesNatural causesAnthony Mosedale [100]
Jun 1982Sunset PotYorkshire DalesDrownedNeofitos Savva [100]
Aug 1982 Ireby Fell Cavern Yorkshire DalesFallJohn Martin [101]
Nov 1982 Gaping Gill Yorkshire DalesFallRobert Watson [101]
Sep 1983Smallcleugh MineCumbriaFallDavid Colin Brooks17-year-old boy scout fell 18 metres [102] [103]
Jan 1985Hurtle PotYorkshire DalesDivingDerek Crossland [104] [91]
Feb 1985Bagshawe CavernPeak DistrictDrownedMark Dowsett15-year-old schoolboy on school trip [76] [105]
Nov 1985 Lancaster Hole Yorkshire DalesDrownedDavid James [106]
Jan 1986 Longwood Swallet MendipRock fallAtilla Kurucz [107] [108]
Mar 1986 Rowten Pot Yorkshire DalesDrownedDavid Anderson Cave Rescue Organisation team member on rescue [109]
May 1986Dale Head PotYorkshire DalesDrownedJames Taylor [110]
July 1986 Porth yr Ogof South WalesNatural causesGwynfor Hughes [6]
Apr 1988unnamed caveYorkshire DalesDivingNick Whaite [111] [91]
May 1988 Ease Gill Caverns Yorkshire DalesRock fallJanet Barnfield
Michael Preece
David Simpson		 [4]
Aug 1988Uamh Claig-ionnScotlandHypothermiaCharles Butterworth [112]
Feb 1989 Jib Tunnel Yorkshire DalesHypothermiaKeith Mann [113]
May 1989Ivy Green CavePeak DistrictHypothermiaMichael BoultonBody found a year later 100 metres (330 ft) in, with no lighting [114]
Feb 1990Kingsdale Master CaveYorkshire DalesDrownedPhil Tamms [115]
Jul 1990 Glynneath Silica MineSouth WalesNatural causesNeville GroomOn management training course [116]
July 1991Jacob's MinePeak DistrictRock fallStephen Goodwin [117]
Nov 1991Sell Gill HolesYorkshire DalesNatural causesFrancis Hardy [117]
Jun 1992 Porth yr Ogof South WalesDrownedAmanda Stead [118]
Jun 1992Joint HoleYorkshire DalesDrownedMartin McMahon [119] [91]
Oct 1992 Porth yr Ogof South WalesDrownedGraham LippDied after rescuing boy [120] [121]
Jan 1993Kingsdale Master CaveYorkshire DalesDrownedMichael JonesWashed into Kingsdale Master Cave sump [122]
Feb 1994 Lost Johns' Cave Yorkshire DalesRock fallPaul Lyons [123]
July 1994Dismal Hill CaveYorkshire DalesDivingTrevor Kemp [124] [91]
Oct 1994Old Ing CaveYorkshire DalesDrownedPeter Ball [125]
Nov 1994 Whittington Stone MineCotswoldsNatural causesBob Fairclough [126]
Jan 1995 Marble Arch Caves Northern IrelandDrownedCon Cormican
Brian Kennedy
Philip Marshall		 [5]
May 1995Calf HolesYorkshire DalesNatural causesThomas DennyManagement training exercise [127]
Aug 1996Quaking PotYorkshire DalesFallChristine Bleakley [128]
May 1997 Lancaster Hole Yorkshire DalesFallMichael Jeffries [129]
Dec 1998Ogof Pont Y MeirwSouth WalesDivingPeter Fowler [130] [91]
Nov 2000 Lancaster Hole Yorkshire DalesDrownedHoward Rothwell [131]
Feb 2001 Ireby Fell Cavern Yorkshire DalesDrownedJulian Carrol
Ray Lea		 [132]
July 2002 Porth yr Ogof South WalesDrownedKevin Sharman [133]
Sep 2004 Notts Pot Yorkshire DalesFallPaula Szajnowska [134]
Mar 2005Low Birkwith CaveYorkshire DalesDivingColin Pryer [135] [91]
Nov 2005 Manchester Hole Yorkshire DalesHypothermiaJoseph ListerSchoolboy under supervision [136]
Mar 2006 Upper Flood Swallet MendipNatural causesMalcolm Cotter [137]
Mar 2006Astonhill SwalletPeak DistrictRock fallDavid Briggs [137] [138]
Aug 2006Meregill SkitYorkshire DalesNatural causesMike WoodingDied of natural causes whilst diving [139]
Dec 2007 Giant's Hole Peak DistrictHypothermiaPaul Fowkes [140] [141]
Dec 2007 Lower Long Churn Yorkshire DalesDrownedCaroline Fletcher
Stuart Goodwill		 [142] [143]
July 2008Coal mine at Craigmillar ScotlandAsphyxiationPeter IresonAbseiled into foul air in disused coal mine [144] [145]
Apr 2011Pwll-y-CymSouth WalesDivingBonnie Cotier [146] [147]
Aug 2014Aber Las MineNorth WalesAsphyxiationWill SmithOvercome by foul air in disused slate mine [148] [149] [150]
Feb 2015Bull Pot, KingsdaleYorkshire DalesRock fallGordon Aitken [151] [152]
Aug 2017Ewes Top Moss Pot, Scales MoorYorkshire DalesNatural causesMichael WoodDate uncertain - body not found for several weeks [153] [154]
Jun 2019Curtain Pot, Fountains Fell Yorkshire DalesFallHarry Hesketh [155] [156]
Jan 2020 Lancaster Hole Yorkshire DalesDivingSimon Halliday [157] [158]
Mar 2023Ayton Monument Mine, Great Ayton OtherAsphyxiationAdam Perkins [159] [160]

Breakdown of fatalities by cause and area

The following table summarises the major causes of fatality in UK caving by cause and by area. The commonest cause of fatality in the UK is drowning - accounting for almost half the deaths when cave diving is included, and 40% when diving is excluded. The second major cause of fatality, when cave diving is excluded, is falling from height which accounts for 23% of fatalities, followed by rock fall which accounts for 14% of fatalities. The 'Other' category includes gas poisoning and asphyxiation.

AreaDivingDrownedFallRock fallHypothermiaNatural causesOtherTotal
Mendip20022208
Northern Ireland  13000105
Peak District357340123
South Wales3120102018
Yorkshire Dales  926171055274
Other01301139
Total1847271612116137

Breakdown of fatalities by cause and decade

The following table summarises the major causes of fatality in UK caving by decade. The changes from decade to decade partly reflect the different numbers of active cavers, partly changing techniques, and partly improved equipment. [161]

DecadeDivingDrownedFallRock fallHypothermiaNatural causesOtherTotal
1900s00100001
1910s00000000
1920s00002002
1930s01010002
1940s10201004
1950s02312019
1960s2125320024
1970s4117301228
1980s665433027
1990s292204019
2000s161122114
2010s10110115
2020s10000012
Total1847271712116137

Breakdown of fatalities over time

The following bar chart shows the number of fatalities in each decade:

List of UK caving fatalities

See also

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References

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  3. 1 2 "Langstroth deaths - foul air blamed". Descent (34): 18. August 1976.
  4. 1 2 Boothroyd, Colin (June–July 1988). "Easegill Tragedy". Descent (82): 12.
  5. 1 2 Kelly, John (April–May 1995). "Marble Arch fatalities". Descent (123): 18.
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  63. ↑ Eyre (1988), p. 91.
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  65. ↑ "Mick Mulligan". ULSA Review (8). July 1971.
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