American Caver Rescued After Being Trapped Underground in Turkey for 12 Days
September 13, 2023, 7:55 AM ET
LONDON — Mark Dickey, an American caver, was rescued after being trapped thousands of feet underground in Turkey for 12 days. His partner, Jessica Van Ord, a paramedic, has revealed details about Dickey’s health and the moment she realized the situation had taken a turn for the worse.
In an interview on “Good Morning America,” Van Ord described how she noticed black tarry stool, indicating internal bleeding. She knew that Dickey needed to safely make it back to camp before receiving medical attention. Due to the small size of their group at the time, they had to carefully monitor the situation and act accordingly.
Dickey, 40, had been trapped inside the Morca Cave in southern Turkey’s Taurus Mountains since August 31. The New Jersey Initial Response Team, a group led by Dickey, reported that he fell ill more than 3,400 feet below the surface.
The Turkish Caving Federation announced that Dickey was successfully extracted from the cave at around 12:37 a.m. local time on Tuesday. According to Van Ord, Dickey is currently in good health and recovering well. Further examination and observation will be conducted in the southern port city of Mersin.
Van Ord faced a difficult decision during the rescue mission – whether to stay by Dickey’s side or seek medical attention. Ultimately, she chose to go and start the necessary preparations for the rescue efforts, trusting that Dickey was in good hands.
Dickey’s parents expressed overwhelming emotion after their son’s rescue. In a statement to ABC News, they expressed their relief and joy, acknowledging the significant efforts of all involved in the extensive rescue operation.
As Dickey continues his recovery, more details will be provided about the cause of his illness. The successful rescue serves as a testament to the hard work and dedication of the rescue team, bringing hope and relief to Dickey’s loved ones.