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The following information is provided to give an overview of the organisation’s activities. It details the amount of team hours involved in an incident and hopfully provides some learning points for future underground explorers.

The ‘team hours’ figure shown for each incident includes incident time on scene, travel time for team members plus an allowance for cleaning, drying and repacking personal and team rescue equipment following an incident.

  • 4 October 2024 21:16 Cwmorthin underground slate quarry Report from Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team of party overdue in Cwmorthin underground slate quarry. NWCRO Controllers notified of possible incident. Further report shortly afterwards from Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team that overdue party were safe and well on surface.
    1 incident manager, 2 team members on standby, no deployment, 20 team minutes.
  • 28 September 2024 18:31 Cabin Shaft, Minera Casualty sustained minor ankle injury while underground and subsequently was unable to ascend 10 m mine entrance shaft to surface. Small party deployed, shaft descended from surface and casualty assessed. Haul system set up and casualty brought to surface and handed over to companions for onward transport.
    7 team members deployed, 28 team hours
  • 22 September 2024 16:51 Rhosydd underground slate quarry Party of 1 adult female and 2 young (15 years old) males attempted the underground through trip between Croesor and Rhosydd quarries. This trip involves using an in situ canoe to cross an underground flooded chamber. The second youth to attempt the lake crossing fell into deep water but self-extricated to safety leaving the canoe swamped. This left the two youths stranded on opposite sides of the flooded chamber. The adult left the two youths underground and after reaching the surface called the police who informed Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team. Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team passed the underground aspect to NWCRO who made a full team deployment. A hasty party entered the Rhosydd Quarry and found made the first youth safe. The canoe was recovered and emptied of water and then used to reach and recover the second youth. When additional team members made contact with the advance party, both youths were given hot drinks and warm dry clothing. They were then assisted to the surface where they were handed over to Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team personnel. Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team meanwhile searched for, and located, the adult female who had been on the surface to obtain phone signal.
    1 incident manager, 18 team members deployed, 153 team hours.
  • 24 August 2024 17:45 Wrysgan Slate Quarry, Tanygrisiau, Blaenau Ffestiniog Walker fell into open quarry chamber. Assisted out by member of public and assessed and assisted off hill by Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team and NWCRO team members.
    1 incident manager, 8 team members deployed plus 4 on standby, 32 team hours.
  • 29 July 2024 18:20 Croesor underground slate quarry Report to NWCRO after concern for a person possibly missing underground was reported to police. Missing person found safe and well by Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team at their car after returning from underground activity. 1 incident manager, no deployment, 21 team members on standby, 1 team hour
  • 5 May 2024 00:37 Croesor-Rhosydd Through Trip Three persons overdue on Croesor-Rhosydd Through Trip. One person located in Croesor Quarry and assisted out. Using information a second party was deployed to the probable location of the other two persons. These were located and assisted out. Primary cause was party being unable to find route to exit from Rhosydd Quarry.
    1 incident manager, 9 team members, 81 hours
  • April 7, 2024 15:35 Great Orme Report from North Wales Police of child stuck in cave on Great Orme, Llandudno. Team put on stand by and further information obtained by controller. In response to queries it was found that a young person had climbed into a short mine level inside the cave and had not been able to climb out again. The young person was assisted out by a member of the public, to whom thanks are due, and the team was stood down with no deployment required.
    1 incident manager, no deployment, 30 minutes.
  • March 9, 2024 13:30 Wrysgan Quarry Message received from North Wales Police suggested an injured person was underground. The team was immediately put on standby while further information was obtained. It was found that the injured person was now on the surface but required evacuation to the road head. The incident was notified to Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation (OVMRO) and South Snowdonia Search and Rescue (SSSART) teams and members from both mountain rescue teams attended.
    1 incident manager. 30 team minutes. Incident handed over to SSSART and OVMRO.
  • November 17, 2023 19:19 Croesor Rhosydd Through Trip The team was called out by the Police to search for two persons overdue from a through trip in the Croesor-Rhosydd mines in Eryri (Snowdonia). More than twenty team members responded from across North Wales. They were deployed as two groups: one tasked with walking to the incident site from Tanygrisiau whilst the second organised equipment and drove up from Croesor village with Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team. The Tanygrisiau group searched Rhosydd mine while the Croesor group went into Croesor mine. The missing persons were located at the base of the first pitch down in Croesor and were assisted out. Having had problems with the boat, one person had swam the lake (very deep and extremely cold) to retrieve the boat. The party then continued but were unable to find their way out of Rhosydd quarry at the end of the trip and were forced to retreat to Croesor. This required ascending in-situ ropes for which the party were unprepared. Even so, they managed to get back to the base of the long first pitch where they were found by NWCRO. The Croesor party returned to Croesor village with equipment and the remaining team members walked back to Tanygrisiau. All team members were off the hill by 01:30 Saturday.
    1 incident manager, 7 controllers on scene, 12 other team members. 108 team hours. With AMRT
  • August 27, 2023 19:01 Croesor Quarry Report of party of two overdue from a trip into Croesor underground slate quarry. Team put on standby. Party reported in safely before team deployed and team stood down immediately. Good prompt action on the part of the informant who called police once aware of party being overdue.
    2 incident managers, no deployement
  • August 19, 2023 15:00 Croesor Rhosydd Through Trip Report of party of two overdue from a trip into Croesor underground slate quarry. Team deployed. One person arrived safely on surface. Second party member was uninjured but unable to ascend Croesor top pitch of Croesor-Rhosydd through trip. Person assessed then hauled to top of pitch and accompanied to surface. Thanks to AMRT for providing transport of rescue kit to Croesor quarry entrance.
    1 incident manager, 2 other controllers. 165 team hours. With AMRT
  • June 18, 2023 10:29 Dog in shaft near Treuddyn The initial report from the Fire Service was that a person had fallen down a mine shaft near Treuddyn, Flintshire. On investigation it was found that a dog that had fallen down an underground shaft in a mine and that the dog’s owner was safe and uninjured. North East Wales Search and Rescue (NEWSAR) were initially assigned the incident and, once the full circumstances were known, passed the incident on to North Wales Cave Rescue Organisation (NWCRO). A team from NWCRO entered the mine and rigged the shaft for roped descent. The shaft was descended and the dog found to be uninjured. It was brought to the surface and reunited safely with its owner. The incident was closed by NWCRO at 14:15.
    1 incident manager, 2 other controllers. 26 team hours. With NEWSAR and North Wales Fire Service
  • May 12, 2023 16:26 Report of missing dogs in cave Two dogs missing since 10/05/2023 on Mynydd Cilan, St Tudwal’s peninsular. Team deployed following a report of barking heard from sea cliffs to west of Mynydd Cilan. A member of the public attempted to investigate but became cragfast on the cliffs. They, and one of the dogs, were rescued by HM Coastguard. The other dog was not found.
    1 Incident manager plus 5 team members, remainder of team on standby. 10 team hours. With AMRT and HM Coastguard.
  • March 31, 2023 15:38 Pant y Wrach Mine Report of three persons overdue from trip in Pant y Wrach mine (party failed to report to their exit from mine because of communications failure). No team deployment, incident dealt with by controllers only.
    1 incident manager, 2 other controllers on standby. 1 team hour.
  • March 8, 2023 20:08 Dog in shaft near Dyserth Report of dog fallen into 30 m mine shaft near Dyserth. One team member descended shaft. Dog placed in bag hauled out alive and apparently unharmed.
    1 incident manager, 1 controller at incident site plus 12 team members. 60 total team hours. 1 officer from Fire and Rescue Service in attendance.
  • November 28, 2022 17:32 Missing person Gwydyr Forest Young person and accompanying teacher reported as missing in an area with a number of disused mines near Llyn Geirionydd in Gwydyr Forest. Team put on standby. One controller attended to assist with search planning. Missing persons found safe and well by North Wales Police.
    1 controller, 5 total team hours, with OVMRO, SARDA Wales and North Wales Police
  • August 7, 2022 18:21 Dog in culvert Report of dog fallen into water and carried into culvert above quarries near Blaenau Ffestiniog. Dog recovered (dead) by member of public before rescue personnel arrived.
    2 controllers, 6 other team members, 15 team total hours , with SSSART
  • January 23, 2022 23:40 Croesor Rhosydd Through Trip Croesor–Rhosydd through trip: Overdue party of 12 of mixed abilities including several novice cavers. Three members of the group were met on surface at 01:30 hrs who reported that they had left the rest of the group to exit as soon as they could to inform that the group weren’t in danger and to extend the call out time. They said that the remainder of the group were extremely fatigued and they were concerned about the time it would take the rest of the group to exit the mine. Discussions between NWCRO controllers and AMRT Team leaders concluded that although there were no reported injuries there was sufficient concern about the safety of those still underground to warrant a full team call out to enter the mine and assist the group. The team was called out at 01.48. 7 NWCRO team members went underground at 04:14 and made contact with the missing group at 04:45. The group was escorted out, some needing assistance from NWCRO members. The group and all NWCRO members reached the car park by 06:40.
    2 controllers plus 7 other team members, 67 total team hours, with AMRT
  • January 1, 2022 20:19 Croesor Rhosydd Through Trip Croesor-Rhosydd Through Trip: 5 persons reported overdue. Team on standby. Party reported safe above ground at 21:13. This was a different group from the group in the previous incident.
    Team continued on standby from previous incident, 1 incident controller, with AMRT, 1 total team hours
  • January 1, 2022 19:51 Croesor Rhosydd Through Trip Croesor-Rhosydd Through Trip: 3 persons reported overdue. Team put on standby. Party reported safe above ground at 20:50.
    Team put on standby, 1 incident controller. With AMRT, 1 total incident hours.
  • November 7, 2021 08:00 Ogof Fynnon Ddu South Wales Major multi-day cave rescue of severely injured person in Ogof Fynnon Ddu, South Wales, conducted by South and Mid-Wales Cave Rescue Team. One NWCRO team member requested to attend to provide specialist rigging and hauling support.
    1 specialist team member deployed
  • September 19, 2021 17:09 Halkyn Mountain shouts heard Halkyn mountain: member of public walking dog on common land with old quarries and mine shafts heard shouts for help and reported this to police. NWCRO and NEWSAR alerted. No persons were reported missing and it was considered by both teams that there was not enough information to support deployment. Incident closed 22:30.
    No deployment, NWCRO and NEWSAR incident controllers were only personnel involved
  • August 8, 2021 15:24 Nant y Gadwen manganese mine Report of person fallen down shaft in Nant y Gadwen manganese mine near Porth Ysgo on Llŷn Peninsula. NWCRO called to assist Coastguard and Aberglaslyn MRT who were already on scene. Access route to casualty, subsequently used for casualty evacuation, located by NWCRO team member. First aid administered by AMRT Casualty Carers and casualty brought to surface and evacuated by air ambulance to hospital.
    7 team members, (2 on scene, 4 travelling to incident, 1 incident coordinator), 30 total team hours. With Aberglaslyn MRT and HM Coastguard
  • September 4, 2020 10:40 Sheep, Wrysgan Quarry Report of injured sheep in Wrysgan underground slate quarry. Mature ewe found (dead) having apparently fallen between boulders and not visible except from close proximity. Carcase bagged and removed from the underground workings.
    4 team members, 12 total team hours.
  • July 20, 2020 17:48 Dog, Parys Mountain Report of a dog that had fallen down a rift on Parys Mountain. Team members abseiled into the rift and placed the dog in a lifting harness. The dog was brought to the surface alive and well and apparently none the worse for her experience.
    3 team members (2 on scene, 1 incident manager), 11 total team hours. With Môn-SAR and key holder from Parys Underground Group.
  • September 29, 2019 00:54 Croesor Rhosydd Through Trip Rescue of person unable to ascend pitches while retreating from Croesor–Rhosydd through trip after failing to find exit route from Rhosydd quarry. Transport was provided to and from Croesor quarry entrance in heavy rain and poor visibility by AMRT and SSSART and was very much appreciated by NWCRO.
    7 team members, 45.5 total team hours. With AMRT and SSSART.
  • April 29, 2019 14:12 Lambs, Bwlch y Plwm Mine Request to assist Aberglasyn Mountain Rescue Team with rescue of two lambs from open mine workings at Bwlch y Plwm, Llanfrothen. Lambs were retrieved unharmed.
    2 controllers attended, 8.5 total team hours
  • February 27, 2019 17:49 Police Investigation Request from North Wales Police for NWCRO to investigate an underground location on Great Orme, Llandudno in connection with a search for a missing person. Shaft descended but nothing found.
    4 team members attended, 8 total team hours
  • August 15, 2018 22:45 Croesor Rhosydd Through Trip NWCRO called out to investigate a possible overdue party from Croesor-Rhosydd. 2 Controllers attended with AMRT and full team was put on stand-by. Group was subsequently confirmed as no longer being underground. The transport provided by AMRT to and from Croesor quarry entrance in heavy rain and poor visibility was very much appreciated by NWCRO.
    4.15 total team hours
  • June 16, 2018 08:23 Horse in shaft NWCRO called out to investigate report of a horse in a shaft. Investigation found that the shaft could not safely descended and that recovery was not possible.
    4 team members attended. 3.5 hours
  • March 14, 2018 16:48 Dog, Penycae NWCRO called out by NEWSAR to investigate possibility that a dog had fallen down a mineshaft at Penycae. Shaft was descended by a Controller but there was no sign of the dog.
    5 team members attended, 4 hours
  • November 10, 2017 14:00 Dog, Loggerheads County Park NWCRO called regarding a missing dog at Loggerheads County Park. Dog was safely recovered uninjured from Leete Cave.
    3 team members, 2.5 hours
  • August 6, 2017 16:34 Dog, slate quarry near Llyn Vyrnwy NWCRO called to assist NEWSAR with a dog that had fallen down an open slate quarry chamber near Lake Vyrnwy. Dog safely recovered from chamber uninjured.
  • September 19, 2016 00:52 Croesor Rhysydd Through Trip NWCRO called out to assist with reported overdue party (2 males) from Croeser Rhosydd. Team was stood down before arrival at rendezvous point.
    1 hour
  • July 15, 2015 19:53 Bullock in ravine NWCRO called to assist LLMRT / AMRT with a bullock that had fallen down ravine near Nantlle Valley. Following investigation it was concluded that further assistance could not be provided.
    2 team members, 2.5 hours
  • January 3, 2015 15:33 Possible Collapsed Tunnel Trawsfynydd. NWCRO called to investigate possible collapsed tunnel. 2 Controllers attended. No further action required.
    6 hours
  • December 29, 2014 10:32 Cows in shaft near Holywell Mine shaft near Holywell. NWCRO called to assist RSPCA with recovery of 2 cows from 10m deep mine shaft. One cow was put to sleep before being recovered but second was recovered alive and apparently uninjured.
    6 team members, including vet, attended, 5 hours
  • December 6, 2014 19:41 Bwlch Glas Mine mid-Wales Bwlch Glas Lead Mine, Tal-y-Bont. NWCRO called to assist Aberdyfi SAR, Powys & Dyfyd Police and other parties with male mine explorer unable to ascend ladder pitch. Person assisted out of mine without NWCRO assistance.
    9 team members attended, 5.5 hours
  • November 1, 2014 15:37 Sheep in shaft near Dyserth Mine shaft near Dyserth. NWCRO called to assist RSPCA with recovery of live sheep from 7m deep mine air shaft. Sheep recovered uninjured.
    5 team members attended, 2 hours
  • August 1, 2014 17:52 Llechwedd Quarry Bounce Below, Llechwedd Quarry. NWCRO called to assist SSSART with unconscious male underground. Assistance not required.
    6 team members attended, 1.5 hours
  • August 23, 2014 12:00 Aberlas Slate Quarry In the afternoon of Saturday 23rd August, North Wales Cave Rescue Organisation were called out to Aber Las mine. It became clear that the callout was for a diver who was missing beyond a flooded section of approximately 300m. North Wales Cave Rescue working with NWP then set in train requests for divers and support from a number of other cave rescue teams, namely the CRO, DCRO, MRO, with other divers being put on standby. Two CRO divers and a dive controller arrived by Sea King helicopter from Yorkshire within four hours of the initial call out. In addition to the cave divers, North East Wales Search and Rescue also provided support in addition to NWFRS, WAST and NWP. The body of the missing diver was located and brought to dive base by the dive teams in the early hours of Sunday morning. It was then taken from the dive base to surface by NWCRO and handed to NWP. NWCRO also transported diving and other equipment between surface and the dive base and assisted at the dive base. All emergency services personnel vacated the scene some hours later. This recovery was a good example of a multi-agency/team effort, especially as it was on a bank holiday weekend. The landowner was involved in supporting the operation throughout.
    Many thanks to all those who gave up their time to help.
  • 22 February 2014 Nantlle Assisting North Wales Police. 3 controllers, 9 team hours
  • 4–5 October 2012 Machynlleth Team members checked disused quarries and mines in Machynlleth area as part of large scale search for a missing child.
  • August 27, 2012 17:11 Missing Person Llanymyerch Yr Ogof, Llanymynech. NWCRO called to assist NEWSAR with search for missing person. Person found well elsewhere and team stood down.
    5 team members attended, 2.5 hours
  • November 19, 2011 11:15 Great Orme Copper Mine On the 19th November 2011 NWCRO responded to a call-out for a caver (male, 50s) at 11.15am who had fallen approximately 20ft in a rift about 200ft below ground in the Great Orme Copper Mine in Llandudno. The casualty had sustained a suspected broken ankle and was beyond 2 short ladder pitches, a hand and knees crawl and a tight section. Following a full team call-out 24 team members attended what was the first underground incident in North Wales involving NWCRO in a casualty evacuation for a number of years. After administration of painkillers and application of an ankle splint the casualty was able to effectively self-rescue with team assistance and hauling on the pitches. The casualty reached the surface at ~15.05 pm, almost 5 hours after the incident, and was transported by ambulance to hospital. The casualty was later confirmed as having a broken heel and endured a 4 hour operation.
    A big thanks to all NWCRO team members who attended, the others who were present and helped with sandwiches and hot drinks, to those who offered help but were no longer required, and to those who have helped with operations behind the scenes over the past few years that enabled a successful evacuation.
  • July 18, 2011 17:30 Lamb, Minllyn Quarry Minllyn Quarry, Dinas Mawddwy. Rescue of lamb from slate quarry pit. Lamb returned unharmed to farmer.
    2 team members, 2 hours
  • July 15, 2011 16:00 Sheep, Llyn Peninsular Llyn Peninsula. Sheep reported to be in a shaft. The following day a search was made of shaft and associated underground passage. However, there was no sign of the sheep.
    4 team members and 1 vet, 4.5 hours
  • May 29, 2011 17:00 Dog, Hendre Spar Mine Hendre, nr Mold. 6 team members. Dog rescued from mine – later reported fit and well.
    6 team members, 2 hours
  • February 26, 2011 21:30 Police Investigation Unattended vehicle in south Rhinog area near a mine. Two NWCRO controllers involved and team alerted. Team stood down when vehicle occupants returned to their vehicle. With North Wales Police and SSMRT.
    1.5 hours
  • September 14, 2010 12:30 Croesor Rhosydd Through Trip Croesor-Rhosydd. Party of 4 overdue since previous day.
    1 team member, 1 hour
  • April 4, 2010 07:30 Missing Person Horseshoe Pass Horseshoe Pass Quarries. Missing person search in underground quarry workings. With NEWSAR.
    7 team members, 6 hours
  • October 26, 2009 16:00 Dog in shaft, Beddgelert Forest Beddgelert Forest. Dog fell down a 30ft disused mine shaft. Handled by Aberglaslyn MRT and NW Fire and Rescue Service.
    5 team members on standby. 1 NWCRO co-ordinator, 2 hours
  • October 13, 2009 13:00 Missing Person, Great Orme Great Orme, Llandudno. Search of mine workings for missing person. With Ogwen Valley MRO.
    6 team members, 2 hours
  • August 24, 2008 22:30 Croesor Rhosydd Through Trip Croesor/Rhosydd. Students lost on through trip. With Aberglaslyn MRT.
    9 team members, 8.5 hours