A speleologist aged 69 years fell heavily to 53 meters underground Sunday, November 18 in Aveyron. Despite the intervention of the rescuers who managed to evacuate him, the man died at Purpan hospital in Toulouse.
A 69-year-old speleologist fell heavily on Sunday (November 18th) in Ols-et-Rinhodes (Aveyron), when he was 53 meters underground, reports Center Presse Aveyron . The accident occurred around 11:00.
Rescued by the firefighters of the unit of recognition and intervention in dangerous environment (Grimp), he was hospitalized in Toulouse. Unfortunately, the 60-year-old from Cher did not survive his injuries.
Fractures on the arm and pelvis
The man was destabilized by the detachment of a block of calcite from the wall. In his fall, he hit a scoop and finished against the rock. The site is yet secure because several clubs affiliated to the French Federation of Speleology regularly come train.
The speleologist was in critical condition when evacuated by rescue. He was severely injured in his left arm with a fracture and open wound, and suffered from another fracture in the pelvis. Firefighters had managed to lift it to the surface after several hours of effort. He eventually died in the early evening at the hospital.