Mix-up sparks quarry rescue (From Wiltshire Times)

Mix-up sparks quarry rescue

2:52pm Friday 21st July 2006 in Corsham

A RESCUE operation was launched to find a team of cavers in Box quarry after one of their girlfriends mistakenly reported them missing.

The team of nine men from Swindon went down the old mines at 9.30am on Monday but were reported missing at midnight, despite not being due to resurface until 2.10am.

The girlfriend had thought they were due to resurface at 10pm and called the police.

A team of police officers rushed to Box, cordoning off roads and surrounding the area in preparation for a major rescue.

The police helicopter was scrambled and Mendip Cave Rescue alerted.

The cavers emerged unharmed, and on schedule, at just after 2am, leaving the concerned girlfriend forced to apologise to police.

Acting sergeant Richard Tottle, of Chippenham police, said: "To their credit the (caving) team were very well prepared, with torches, safety equipment, spare batteries and suitable clothing.

"Unfortunately they failed to ensure someone knew exactly what time they would be back, which wasted a lot of resources."

Despite all the party insisting they were safe, police had to make sure there was no one left in the caves.