A YOUNG male caver who had suffered a leg injury while investigating Goyden Pot, Lofthouse, in Nidderdale yesterday (Wednesday) was rescued by a specialist team from Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue.

The Grassington-based team was called to the remote Goyden Pot, one of three main caves in the Upper Nidderdale valley and described by cavers as 'small-scale' and 'complex' at 2.16pm.

More than 30 team members were involved in the rescue with the young male, who was part of a school party, back on the surface by 5.15pm. 

Two neighbouring teams, the Cave Rescue Organisation, based in Clapham, and Swaledale Mountain Rescue, Catterick Garrison, were put on alert, but were not needed.

A spokesperson for the Grassington based Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association (UWFRA) said "Cave rescue requires considerable man-power and we all work against the clock: rescue speed making hypothermia less likely.

"We often alert our neighbouring teams to live cave incidents in case extra man-power is needed.

"The Cave Rescue Organisation and Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team were advised but later stood down as our own team was sufficient to provide swift medical attention to the injured caver as well as technical rope experts to facilitate the extraction.

"We'd like to thank local cave leaders and teachers who also helped considerably, as well as the casualty who was a true stoic.

"We wish him a very speedy recovery."