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Kentucky cave rescue: More than a dozen tourists, police officers escape safely

By Doug G. Ware

HORSE CAVE, Ky., May 26 (UPI) -- At least seventeen people who became trapped in an underground cave in southeast Kentucky amid rising flood waters Thursday were rescued, officials said.

Fifteen explorers and two police officers became trapped in the Hidden River Cave in Horse Cave, Ky. Thursday evening, Gov. Matt Bevin said they had been rescued.

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"All explorers in Horse Cave, Ky., have been safely rescued," he said. "Kudos to local law enforcement and dive teams for their prompt response."

WTVQ-TV reported that 18 had been rescued.

Emergency workers were trying to rescue them earlier from rising waters inside the cave and the American Cave Museum, where some had entered at 10 a.m. local time Thursday. In the process, two police officers became trapped themselves.

The dangerous situation prompted authorities to delay some rescue efforts out of concern for the emergency responders' safety.

Hart County EMA director Kerry McDaniel told WAVE 3 News the people inside the cave -- which is as deep as four miles in some places -- were with experienced guides who had an action plan for handling the rising water, according to McDaniel.

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McDaniel added that the trapped tourists were members of a college group that had taken an expedition earlier in the day.

Rescue divers were also dispatched.

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