15-year-old girl rescued after being trapped 8 hours in North Alabama cave
By Bob Farley - Guy Reynolds makes his way through the 'Blue Squeeze' in Tumbling Rock cave near Holiwood. The passageway is about two feet high, 20 feet across and about 40 feet long.
By Bob Farley - Guy Reynolds, left, his wife Jenny Reynolds, Rob Noma, and Larry Crauswell explore a section of the Tumbling Rock Cave near Hollywood
By Erin Edgemon
Jackson County, AL
Multiple rescue crews worked for more than eight hours to free a 15-year-old girl who became trapped under a boulder inside Tumbling Rock Cave in northern Alabama on Saturday evening.
After the girl was nearly a mile inside the cave, a large rock somehow fell on her leg and trapped her, WHNT reported.
According to reports, the girl wasn't able to walk and crews had to use four-wheelers and other specialized equipment to get her out of the cave at around 2 a.m. Sunday.
The girl suffered a broken ankle and was transported to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga for evaluation and treatment.
The girl visited the cave on Saturday afternoon as part of a larger group. Its unclear where the group was from and how the incident occurred.
Tumbling Rock Cave, owned by Southeastern Cave Conservancy, is open for viewing primarily on Saturdays and Sundays. Those going into the cave have to wear caving equipment such as a helmet, boots and a headlamp.
The cave is a popular attraction for Scout troops, church groups and cavers. It is located in the Dolberry Hollow area of Jackson County, which is north of Scottsboro, and about 55 miles northeast of Huntsville.
The cave's entrance is about 3 feet by 3 feet. The cave is believed to be about five to six miles deep.
The Jackson County Sheriff's Office, The Huntsville Cave Rescue Unit, Hollywood Fire Department and Chattanooga Hamilton County Rescue Service Cave/Cliff Team were among the crews who assisted in the rescue.
This report will be updated when more information becomes available.
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