A pair of youngsters found themselves trapped in a notorious slate mine, sparking a six-hour rescue operation.
The emergency services were summoned to the Croesor-Rhosydd slate mine near Blaenau Ffestiniog after the pair got stuck underground on Sunday.
Three individuals had ventured into the mine, but two of them ended up trapped on either side of a flooded chamber. One of the trapped duo also fell into deep water within the mine.
The third individual managed to exit the mine before dialling 999, prompting the emergency services to initiate a rescue mission.
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A spokesperson for the North Wales Cave Rescue Organisation, which was called upon to assist, stated that they were alerted just before 5pm to aid the Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team with the incident.
(Image: North Wales Cave Rescue Organisation)
They explained: “After some initial investigation, the team determined the incident was at the Croesor-Rhosydd slate mine (a regular call-out location for the team) which requires appropriate caving experience, equipment and the ability to both ascend and descend ropes.
“One person exited the mine and called 999, reporting that two young persons were trapped underground, one each side of a flooded chamber.
“One had fallen into deep water. NWCRO team members were called out and attended from as far afield as Chester and Holyhead, some attending directly from the UK national caving conference at Llangollen,” reports North Wales Live.
The spokesperson said ropes were used to pull the kids out.
They explained: “An advance party was dispatched to find the two individuals left underground and establish their condition. When found, they were given hot drinks and warm dry clothing before technical ropework was used to bring them to a safe location. When additional team members made contact with the advance party, the two individuals were assisted out of the mine and handed over to AMRT.”
North Wales Cave Rescue Organisation’s involvement in the incident lasted approximately 6.5 hours and involved 17 NWCRO team members, totalling in excess of 150 team hours.
This isn’t the first time people have been trapped underground at Croesor-Rhosydd slate mine. North Wales Live reported last November that cave rescuers urged explorers to be better prepared when tackling old mine shafts in the notorious slate quarry, following another incident where two people became stranded while exploring the quarry’s subterranean lake.
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