(CNN) — A dramatic and complex international rescue operation to save an American man from one of Turkey’s deepest caves ended successfully on Tuesday – more than a week after after he fell seriously ill and became too frail to make his own way out.
A dramatic and complex international rescue operation to save an American man from one of Turkey’s deepest caves ended successfully on Tuesday – more than a week after after he fell seriously ill and became too frail to make his own way out.
An accomplished and experienced caver, Mark Dickey, 40, had been part of a research group on an exploration mission in the Morca Cave when he reportedly began suffering from gastrointestinal bleeding.
The cave is located in the Taurus Mountain range in southern Turkey and reaches depths of up to 1,276 meters (4,186 feet).
A huge rescue effort was launched involving multiple teams of experienced cavers from around the world alongside Turkish specialists.
“Mark Dickey is out in the hands of a rescue worker (and) seems fine at first look,” Recep Salci of Turkey’s disaster and emergency management authority (AFAD) said on Tuesday as footage emerged of Dickey being stretchered out of the cave with a grin on his face.
Speaking near the cave at a medical tent, Dickey said it was “amazing to be above ground again” and thanked rescue teams and the Turkish government for saving his life with “literally no questions asked.
