Image: Memorial Plaque at Mossdale Scar. - geograph.org.uk - 565322

Description: Memorial Plaque at Mossdale Scar. The Mossdale Caverns system at Mossdale Scar is notorious amongst cavers for a tragedy that occurred on June 24, 1967. On that day, ten cavers entered the system. Three hours later, four members of the party decided not to continue and exited the cave system. One of these four returned to the entrance shortly afterwards, only to find it completely submerged due to recent rainfall having swollen Mossdale beck. Realising immediately that the six cavers who remained inside the cave system were in danger, she ran 4 kilometres across the moor to raise the alarm. Cave Rescue teams arrived at the scene, but the high water levels prevented access to the cave. The waters of Mossdale beck had to be diverted away from the cave entrance by digging a trench. Even then the rescue operation could not be started owing to the high internal water levels. It was not until the following day that entry was possible. The Cave Rescue teams found the bodies of five of the cavers. The sixth was located the following day. The bodies were left in situ, and in 1971 the dead cavers were buried by their colleagues from the University of Leeds Speleology Association in "The Sanctuary" - a chamber in "High Level Mud Caverns", with the agreement of their families. The coroner decided to seal the cave, and concrete was poured down the only safe entrance, but the sealed entrance was later opened up again. Entry remains possible via the stream sink. This is to date the single most deadly tragedy in British caving. The metal tablet affixed to the rocks at the safe entrance reads: IN EVERLASTING MEMORY FROM THE FAMILIES OF DAVID ADAMSON AGED 26 GEOFFREY WARREN BOIREAU AGED 24 WILLIAM FRAKES AGED 19 JOHN OGDEN AGED 20 MICHAEL JOHN RYAN AGED 17 COLIN RICHARD VICKERS AGED 23 WHO REST HERE IN MOSSDALE CAVERNS WHERE THEY DIED 24th JUNE 1967 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills From whence cometh my strength On the moors above is a memorial cairn. Until recently on private land this is now on CROW public access land. The plaque on the cairn reads: 'Mossdale memorial cairn - over the place in the cave where the bodies were found' For more info see http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/viewarticle.aspx?sectionid=1297&articleid=810151
Title: Memorial Plaque at Mossdale Scar. - geograph.org.uk - 565322
Credit: From geograph.org.uk
Author: Steve Partridge
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License: CC BY-SA 2.0
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