This popped into my inbox yesterday, sent by some friends:

"Whilst at Nenthead yesterday for a underground excursion we were informed by Pete Jackson, Chairman of the newly formed Nenthead Conservation Society, that some stupid idiot had cut the rope going down Proud Sump. The danger factor here is it was cut about 5 meters down, so it was possible for someone to start descending and fall straight of the end of the rope to an almost certain death! So please be very careful using any existing ropes, ladders or fixings."

Nenthead Mines Conservation Society report the cut rope is old news that has somehow resurfaced with this years date on it. I've added to that and can only apologise but felt it was better to be safe as I'd hate to hear of somebody coming off the end and killing themselves.

The moral of this story is; pull the rope up and check it before you use it, or throw your own rope down and use that.