Nineteen people who were trapped in a Hart County cave by quickly rising waters Thursday had a close call, but made it to safety.
Students from Clemson University in South Carolina began their caving trip at Hidden River Cave at 10:00 am.
The students entered the attraction in the town of Horse Cave with four tour guides.
Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued about 2 in the afternoon. Four members of the group were able to get out of the cave. But quickly rising waters trapped the rest of the group. They stayed in a portion of the cave with a higher ceiling “The Attic.”
At 3:00 pm two officers from the Horse Cave Police Department went in to rescue the cavers, but the police officers also became trapped.
A tour guide was able to lead the trapped group out of the cave safely by 4:30. Original post:
Authorities say all 19 people who were trapped in a Kentucky cave have waded through neck-deep water to get out.
Hart County Emergency Management Director Kerry McDaniel says the group of Clemson University students walked out of the cave without assistance Thursday after being trapped by rising water.
McDaniel says there is only one way in and out of the Hidden River Cave in south-central Kentucky.