A speleologist dies after an accident inside a cave in León

A speleologist died this Saturday inside the Cueva de Valporquero, in the north of the province of León, after suffering a fall and receiving a strong blow to the head while making a journey with a group of colleagues.

One of them, a doctor, has confirmed the death of his partner, whose body has been recovered and taken abroad from the scene of the accident, between the area known as El Sil de las Perlas and the Gran Cascada, service sources have reported. Emergency Call 112 Castilla y León. Previously, around 3:30 p.m., the displaced rescuers were able to pick up another injured speleologist, a 49-year-old man who had an injury to one of his clavicles..

The remaining members of the group have reported the mishap and directed the rescuers to take the deceased comrade outside, according to the same sources.. The incident was reported around 1:00 p.m. and the rescue lasted more than five hours in an area of the cave that is not open to tourism and is only suitable for speleologists and specialists.

In addition to a medical helicopter, members of Civil Protection and Civil Guard agents from the Mountain Rescue and Intervention groups (GREIM) from Sabero (León), from Trives (Orense), and from Mieres and Cangas (Asturias) have participated. , in addition to members of the Association of Volunteers of La Robla (León), and a psychological assistance service for family members. The Valporquero Cave, near the center of Valporquero de Torío and belonging to the municipality of Vegacervera, is located in the north of the province, about 50 kilometers from the capital.

Open to the public since 1966 and managed by the Provincial Council, it has an itinerary that can be visited, duly conditioned, about 1,300 meters long.. The entrance to the cave is located at an altitude of 1,300 meters and at the bottom there is an underground water current that is not accessible to the public, in whose surroundings the accident occurred for reasons that are still unknown..