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Caver 'serious' after mine rescue Caver 'serious' after mine rescue
(about 1 hour later)
A caver rescued from a disused mine shaft in Edinburgh is in a serious condition in hospital.A caver rescued from a disused mine shaft in Edinburgh is in a serious condition in hospital.
Peter Ireson, from Livingston, got into difficulties while suspended 30ft down the mine at the Wisp in Craigmillar.Peter Ireson, from Livingston, got into difficulties while suspended 30ft down the mine at the Wisp in Craigmillar.
A Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said two specially-trained firefighters were lowered into the shaft and gave the 37-year-old oxygen.A Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said two specially-trained firefighters were lowered into the shaft and gave the 37-year-old oxygen.
The Grampian Speleological Group member was unconscious when he was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.The Grampian Speleological Group member was unconscious when he was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
The percentage oxygen in air should be about 21% to enable people to breathe properly. Gary Emslie, from a nearby house, helped secure the caver's line to stop him falling further, before emergency services arrived.
He said: "I just tried to rescue the guy but unfortunately our attempts weren't good enough.
"We got him up so far and then the rope started to snap. The problem was that there were only two of them so when one of them got into difficulty, the other didn't have the strength to pull him out Alan JeffreysGrampian Speleological Group
"I find it hard to believe that somebody can only go in so far and then they become overcome and suddenly they are in intensive care."
The percentage of oxygen in air should be about 21% to enable people to breathe properly.
John Delaney, Coal Authority corporate affairs manager, said: "He entered an oxygen deficient atmosphere where there was only 5% oxygen.John Delaney, Coal Authority corporate affairs manager, said: "He entered an oxygen deficient atmosphere where there was only 5% oxygen.
"It is not that there was a gas which caused him to be unconscious but rather that the shaft was oxygen deficient.""It is not that there was a gas which caused him to be unconscious but rather that the shaft was oxygen deficient."
The problem was that there were only two of them so when one of them got into difficulty, the other didn't have the strength to pull him out Alan JeffreysGrampian Speleological Group
A man from a nearby house helped secure the caver's line to stop him falling further, before emergency services arrived.
Firefighters, who were called to the scene at about 1945 BST on Thursday, were forced to work in difficult circumstances due to a lack of space in the narrow mine shaft.
Alan Jeffreys, Grampian Speleological Group warden, said his fellow caver was unconscious in intensive care.Alan Jeffreys, Grampian Speleological Group warden, said his fellow caver was unconscious in intensive care.
Speaking to the BBC Scotland news website about the incident, he said: "The problem was that there were only two of them so when one of them got into difficulty, the other didn't have the strength to pull him out.Speaking to the BBC Scotland news website about the incident, he said: "The problem was that there were only two of them so when one of them got into difficulty, the other didn't have the strength to pull him out.
"We are a rescue club but we also look into mines and caves for research to see where they go, and that's what they were doing at the time of the accident.""We are a rescue club but we also look into mines and caves for research to see where they go, and that's what they were doing at the time of the accident."
Monitoring equipment Narrow shaft
Mr Ireson, who works as an engineer, is single and does not have any children.Mr Ireson, who works as an engineer, is single and does not have any children.
Paul Graham of Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service, who was at the scene, said it was an "unusual and difficult" incident. Firefighters, who were called to the scene at about 1945 BST on Thursday, were forced to work in difficult circumstances due to a lack of space in the narrow mine shaft.
"We have asked for environmental health to investigate which gas it was," Mr Graham said. Paul Graham of Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service, who was at the scene, said it had been an "unusual and difficult" incident.
"There were 16 firefighters on the scene and we pulled him up 35 minutes after receiving the call. He was unconscious." He said environmental health had been asked to carry out an investigation.
Lothian Webster, of the Coal Authority, said: "In the central belt of Scotland there are many historic coal mine areas.Lothian Webster, of the Coal Authority, said: "In the central belt of Scotland there are many historic coal mine areas.
"This incident shows it is sensible not to enter any holes in the ground that you discover, which could be related to coal mining.""This incident shows it is sensible not to enter any holes in the ground that you discover, which could be related to coal mining."