Caving rescue in Waikato

Media release at request of Phil BELL, Search and Rescue Coordinator Waikato District.

At about 14:40 hrs today 38 year old Jane FURKET fell 8 metres into a stream inside the Luckie Strike Cave, Waitomo. The experienced recreational caver is a member of the Nelson Caving Club and was with 2 caving companions when she fell.

The incident occurred about 1100 metres into the cave which is 15km's from the Waitomo Township. It appears that Jane unhitched herself from a traverse line on a slippery ledge just prior to the fall. An advanced paramedic from the Westpac Rescue Trust is with Jane who is believed to have suffered a broken hip.

Jane has been stabilised but is cold from having fallen into the stream. Specialised heating equipment is enroute. The rescue is considered quite technical due to the high traverse lines and narrow passage ways. Jane is being brought out in a stretcher suspended about 8 metres above floor level. The recovery operation is likely to take a minimum of several hours and possibly up to 5 hours.

There is a total of 25 skilled cave Search and Rescue staff involved comprised of caving guides from the Waitomo area and recreational cavers from the Waikato region.

Due to the communication issues involved there is likely to be no further information available until the rescue operation is complete. Further information will be released if and when it becomes available.

Issued By: Sergeant Tobias Harrison