A potholer (speleologist) was finally rescued from a cave in the Sierra de Maria/Los Vélez in Almeria in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The rescue team had to use small, explosive charges within the Cueva de la Gitana in order to get the victim out. Once extricated, she was flown to Hospital Torrecárdenas in Almería.

At first a medical specialist was sent by helicopter from Málaga to accompany the 20-man, Guardia-Civil, rescue team (GREIM) so he was able to enter into the small space where she was lying.

It was around 05.00h yesterday morning when the rescue personnel were able to bring the 60-year-old victim out on a stretcher: she was conscious and lucid but had a wrist and head injuries.

It was midday Saturday when 112 received the call out to say that an speleologist had suffered a fall and struck her head in the said cave.

Also involved in the rescue were Tedax explosive experts, six fire personnel, six members of Espeleosocorro Andaluz, seven from the Asociación de Espeleología Velezana, two doctors… all told about 50 people helped in the rescue operation.

(News: Los Velez, Almeria, Andalucia)