Cave rescuers train in Eagle

EAGLE COUNTY, Colorado — Many people don't know it, but Colorado contains over 800 caves, and they are beautiful, but can also very dangerous.

Rescuers from all parts of the state recently got together in at Fulford Cave south of Eagle County to conduct a two-day cave rescue training. Rescuers simulated an emergency in which two people fell deep into the cave. One was injured and the other killed by a rockslide.

Rescuers had to cope with the normal cave problems of cold temperatures and wet, muddy conditions, as well as simulated cave-ins and rock slides.

The combined teams successfully moved the injured part to the surface and simulated evacuation to medical treatment. On the following day, they returned to simulate the recover of the body of the other party.

Hosted by Vail Mountain Rescue, the training involved teams from the Colorado Cave Rescue Network, Garfield County Search & Rescue, Mineral County Search & Rescue, Douglas County Search & Rescue, Rocky Mountain Rescue, and the Greater Eagle Fire Department.

The training was also supported by the U S Forest Service, the Vail Valley Salvation Army, Eagle County Emergency Management and the Eagle County Sheriff's Office.