I have just had a phonecall from Thomas Matthalm and they want to get a fully qualified doctor to the casualty. The doctor needs to be able to go to -950m in a hard but dry Alpine cave - please can everyone ask around any likely candidates and get them to phone me on 07939 003818 (I may not be at computer so phone best) - I can give details and put them in touch with Thomas who is now on the surface.

It would mean leaving straight away, probably tonight. They are desperate and have no doctors in Germany capable of doing the trip. He says it's a bit like a Yorkshire cave - just much much deeper.

There may be a Slovenian doctor, and a UK doctor able to go and we are now trying to get one or both formally requested. Will post later with an update. Thanks to everyone who has replied or been in contact.
It's a very serious rescue but at least we can try and help.

update: UK doctor now on standby and there may be Austrian/Swiss doctors able to attend. Thanks to everyone who has been in touch.

He's out! Thanks to everyone who responded to the request for doctors or got in touch to offer their services for the rescue.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27922781