No injured cavers recorded.
Gerald Moni and Beth Elliot hoped to connect a newly discovered pit with nearby Pryor Spring Cave. As they approached the sink, Moni thought he heard something in the sink, but since they could not identify the sound they passed it off as nothing. Ms. Elliot rappelled in, derigged and started towards the next drop of 40 to 50 feet. She heard a noise but passed it off as dripping water. When she rounded the corner, she spotted a wet, shaking goat. It had fallen down the 34-foot entrance drop but had landed on a mass of rotting branches and hence had received only a minor head cut and a slight leg injury. The young goat was caught and fitted with an improvised harness. Moni ascended the pit and hoisted out the victim.
Analysis: Kids should not be allowed to go caving without at least one parent along. Previous reports in American Caving Accidents have described the rescue of dogs and their companions, but this is the only case of a kid (goat) being rescued. This accident is not included in the summary at the end of this booklet.
Source: Elliot, Beth. (1974) "An Unusual Rescue." Speleonews. October issue, p.69. Indiana, Buckner Cave