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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar,Joe Sommerlad,Ariana Baio and Graeme Massie

Mark Dickey hails ‘amazing’ rescue nine days after becoming trapped 3,400ft down in Turkish cave – latest

Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Moment American researcher rescued from Turkish cave

Experienced explorer Mark Dickey has emerged from a Turkish cave after a successful three-day rescue operation by teams from all over Europe to carry him out of one of the deepest caves in the world.

Mr Dickey said that it was “amazing to be above ground again,” as he was taken to a medical tent for examination before he could be transferred to hospital after his ordeal.

And he thanked the rescue teams and Turkish government for bringing him to safety and said they had “saved my life literally no questions asked”.

And he added: “I was underground for far longer than ever expected with an unexpected medical issue.”

More than 190 rescuers joined forces to safely extract Mr Dickey, 40, from the complex Morca cave system.

Mr Dickey, a well-known speleologist and cave rescuer himself, became trapped on Saturday 2 September after suddenly suffering from gastrointestinal bleeding while on an expedition.

His condition worsened quickly, making him unable to move and requiring a doctor to go down into the cave to administer vials of blood to keep him stabilised.

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