Explorers escape with no injuries after being rescued 250ft underground in abandoned mine shaft

Daily Mail​

27-04-2025

Two men were rescued without injury after becoming stuck in a 250ft abandoned mine shaft.
The pair were rappelling down the site near Twentynine Palms, California, on April 19 when their equipment failed.
A third member of the party, who stayed above ground, was able to summon rescue crews who used ARVs to navigate the rugged terrain.
Shawn Millerick, a spokesman for the San Bernardino County Fire Department, said:
'This is an area that, you know, there's no way you're going to get a four-wheel drive vehicle up here. You need specialized equipment.'
A rescuer was lowered into the mine using a dual-line rope system as night began to fall.
'We're just going to hoist them out one at a time, and then our rescuer will come up after,' Millerick said.
Both men were secured and hoisted to the surface without suffering injuries just before 7pm.
'We had to dispatch everybody from all different points in the county,' Millerick added.
Crews from Twentynine Palms and Yucca Valley, Fontana, Lake Arrowhead and Hesperia were called to aid the rescue, according to SBCF.
Marine Corps Air Combat Center, Morongo Basin Ambulance, and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department also provided support.
'This incident demonstrates San Bernardino County Fire's readiness to respond to emergencies in even the most challenging environments,' SBCF said.