Documentary about the big rescue from OFD last November

[Huge]

The Rescue: 54 Hours Under The Ground

A documentary about George Linnane's rescue from OFD last November, is being shown on BBC Wales only, at 8pm on Monday 18th. I assume it'll be available on iPlayer the next day and should get a wider BBC showing at dome point.

 

[Huge]

The Rescue: 54 Hours Under The Ground

A documentary about George Linnane's rescue from OFD last November, is being shown on BBC Wales only, at 8pm on Monday 18th. I assume it'll be available on iPlayer the next day and should get a wider BBC showing at dome point.

Bump

If you've got Sky or Freeview, you should be able to find any BBC region.

 

[mikem]

It's already available on the link above, plus this interview from January:

BBC News - Trapped: 54 hours underground

Caver George Linnane talks to Hywel Griffith about his fight for survival.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[mikem]

As the programme will eventually disappear I thought it was worth keeping the credits list of rescuers

 

[FionaH]

If that list doesn't make cavers smile what will

 

[Jopo]

I don't have the list of the 230 + rescuers on Tim Flanagan's Sat to Monday rescue from Agen Allwedd in 1980 but several of the names on the credits were also on that rescue.

 

[Alex]

Thanks Mikem, So many people on there I know, and so many people I know, I did not realise were there as I never ran into them.

 

[chunky]

Only just had a chance to watch it. Not a bad recount. Some small errors, but pretty good on the whole 👍

 

[cap n chris]

Heard about this after it was over. Well kept off the radar from anyone not in the loop. Well done to all concerned. Proper heroic stuff.

 

[mikem]

It was kept out of media notice for first day or so, but was national news before George made it out.

 

[Huge]

I know that some of the people in the control room didn't get any sleep for three days. The work load and the flow of information was so great that they just couldn't switch off between shifts.

A couple of them had camper vans there and tried to grab a few hours sleep but a large media wagon had parked between them and had a loud generator running constantly to power their satellite dish, so no chance!

 

[Jopo]

George's rescue was the first use of the SLIX spinal splint using head blocks as developed by Hywel and the meds of the BCRC. Our older spinal was designed to be used with a cervical collar - the use which was probably precluded by Georges injuries. The stretcher and modified spinal splint had only been issued by the BCRC couple of months before the incident. How fortuitous was that?
George mentioned a couple of times that "I was glad to be off that spinal board"( or words to that effect). Must admit 54 hours was not really a design consideration and Hywel is working on it now.

Onwards and upwards - a levitating stretcher next.

The REACT stretcher was a direct result of the problems encountered in the 1980 Agen Allwedd Southern Stream rescue so if you were involved in Georges rescue and have any on thoughts on how we can improve the stretcher or spinal splint then please pm me.

Might be you next

Jopo

 

[Jenny P]

Watched it a couple of days ago via BBC iplayer - BBC Wales is channel S4C if you haven't found it yet.

Amazing documentary and, though those in the know might have spotted a few minor faults, for the rest of us who were not involved it was a great programme. Even when you knew how it was going to end, still a thrill a minute to watch how it was actually done and the organisation behind it all speaks volumes. Interesting, too, the emphasis on "cavers rescue cavers" from so many of the people involved.

Caving gets a much better press these days and even cave rescues nowadays don't get the "silly fools, what does it cost to rescue them ..." comments we used to get. I guess non-cavers are just beginning to understand that the whole lot is entirely voluntary: the cost, the effort, the organisation and the "grunt work" is down to ordinary cavers willing to help their mates.

 

[alastairgott]

Might be you next

I feel like a big finger will come out of the sky pointing at me like the old lotto adverts. "it could be you".

Out of interest what does Hywel look like? there was a guy on our Early Monday morning shift, "the graveyard shift" who had impressive eyebrows and I think he introduced himself as "how-el", is it the same person?

 

[JasonC]

Out of interest what does Hywel look like? there was a guy on our Early Monday morning shift, "the graveyard shift" who had impressive eyebrows and I think he introduced himself as "how-el", is it the same person?

See the link above to Trapped: 54 Hours underground - 12 minutes interview, mainly of George and Hywel, and his eyebrows.
Echo the comments on the main 'Rescue' programme - it was really well made and told a great story, even appreciated by me non-caving wife!

 

[alastairgott]

as developed by Hywel and the meds of the BCRC.

I don't think the presenter Hywel is the same Hywel as the one who helped develop the stretcher.

 

[hyweldavies]

I feel like a big finger will come out of the sky pointing at me like the old lotto adverts. "it could be you".

Out of interest what does Hywel look like? there was a guy on our Early Monday morning shift, "the graveyard shift" who had impressive eyebrows and I think he introduced himself as "how-el", is it the same person?

Different Hywel. Jopo's son has same name.I'm the one with the eybrows. And I wasn't on the programme though was on the rescue

 

[alastairgott]

Sorry Hywel, couldn’t reallly think of anyway else to describe you. It was great to meet you and the others on the graveyard shift.

 

[ttxela2]

I watched it last night, I thought it was very well made.

 

[mikem]

Someone just posted the link on FB, so thought I'd remind anyone who hasn't seen it that it's only available for another 4 months!