thehungrytroglobite
Well-known member
Moderator note: posts split from original thread: https://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?threads/incident-04-2024-10-02-24-23-50-easegill.31561/
I would like to highlight that the initial call out was left for 2230, and the police were called VERY shortly afterwards (by 2235). The police clearly did not know the procedure at all, asking an extensive number of detailed questions (such as the post code for Bullpot farm, which needed to be googled to find it), which wasted precious time. After this, they then didn't call CRO until 2350, which wasted further time. CRO only started information gathering with the person who had the call out from this point onwards (I know they can't act until they have been officially called by the police, so not criticising CRO for this!). Basically, the incompetence of the police significantly increased the time before the missing party were reached. This is not a standalone case, I know of many further instances in which the police have made a call out considerably more difficult, sometimes even saying that 'cave rescue don't exist'. The fact that cave rescues are niche and uncommon is no excuse, all phone handlers should be adequately trained in the different types of rescue teams, various scenarios they may encounter, and correct associated procedures. This is obviously a serious and recurring issue, and I hope the BCRC may be able to address it.
I would like to highlight that the initial call out was left for 2230, and the police were called VERY shortly afterwards (by 2235). The police clearly did not know the procedure at all, asking an extensive number of detailed questions (such as the post code for Bullpot farm, which needed to be googled to find it), which wasted precious time. After this, they then didn't call CRO until 2350, which wasted further time. CRO only started information gathering with the person who had the call out from this point onwards (I know they can't act until they have been officially called by the police, so not criticising CRO for this!). Basically, the incompetence of the police significantly increased the time before the missing party were reached. This is not a standalone case, I know of many further instances in which the police have made a call out considerably more difficult, sometimes even saying that 'cave rescue don't exist'. The fact that cave rescues are niche and uncommon is no excuse, all phone handlers should be adequately trained in the different types of rescue teams, various scenarios they may encounter, and correct associated procedures. This is obviously a serious and recurring issue, and I hope the BCRC may be able to address it.
Last edited by a moderator: