Shropshire mine still safe, says rescuer

The dramatic mine rescue of a woman trapped 300ft underground should not affect the number of people coming to the site for caving, the man who co-ordinated the rescue mission said today.

The 24-year-old woman, from Devon, was rescued from Snailbeach lead mine near Minsterley in a six-hour operation on Wednesday night after suffering an epileptic fit and becoming trapped hundreds of feet underground.

Neal Rushton, who co-ordinated the incident for Midlands Cave Rescue, said that the drama was unlikely to affect the number of people who wanted to go caving in the area, due to the nature of the incident.

"I think it was just one of those things – I don't think it will put people off at all," said Mr Rushton, who is also chairman of Shropshire Caving and Mining Club.

It was the first major incident involving a trapped person the rescue team had this year, he said. "Incidents like this in the Midlands are few and far between.".

Mr Rushton said the team of 51 volunteers was well-prepared for the rescue.