| Name | Age | Sex | Injuries | Injured areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nenninger, Tony | 20 | Male | Hypothermia | Not recorded |
Five cavers from St. Louis, Lisa Albrizzi (18), Greg Berry (22), John Koeckner (18), Tony Nenninger (20) and Mike Thompson (18) entered Krueger Dry Run Cave near Waterloo, Illinois at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, February 26. Berry was the only novice in the party; Nenninger was the only one with experience in that cave.
A short distance into the cave water was encountered and wading was necessary. The group was headed toward another entrance which would allow them to exit near their parked vehicle. Once wet, they did not want to leave by the first entrance to avoid a long walk across frozen fields. Near their projected exit, however, they reached a place where the 40 degree water nearly reached the ceiling. The group rested on some rocks and then turned back. After covering a considerable distance, they found a high place and huddled together for warmth, awaiting rescue. Hypothermiated, Nenninger was subject to vomiting. Their carbide lamps and flashlights were in bad shape. The group waited in darkness. That night the farmer on whose land they had parked called authorities.
At first rescuers were uncertain which cave to search. On Monday two dried fruit wrappers were found a short distance inside the entrance of Krueger Dry Run. These were identified by the wife of one of the cavers. Four unsuccessful rescue attempts were then made.
The first was made Monday morning but the rescuers gave up after 4 hours due to a lack of wet suits. That evening the O'Fallon, Illinois Underwater Search and Rescue Team and members of the Waterloo Fire Department made attempts but were turned back by the cold water. About midnight two cavers from St. Louis, Hank Roth and Kevin Barton who had mapped the cave, tried, but were also turned back by the cold.
Tuesday morning, Barton and Roth returned with dry suits, accompanied by a local caver and four members of the Cahokia Civil Defense Corps Rescue and Underwater Unit. This group methodically explored the cave until the lost group was finally encountered. The victims drank some water, then all headed out. Nenninger was the only one who had to be evacuated, teams of two rescuers taking turns carrying him. The group exited the cave about 12:30 p.m. Nenninger's body temperature had dropped to about 90-91°, a serious hypothermic situation. They had been underground about 47 hours.
Analysis: The group should have considered the active snowmelt feeding the water table and either aborted their trip or used wet suits. Plastic bags or space blankets would have been an obvious asset. They did show the good sense not to struggle to the end of their strength. According to Dr. Robert Schettler at St. Clement Hospital, the victims would not likely have survived another 12 hours. Their only injuries were scraped hands and knees. The Sheriff's Office was criticized for not calling cavers sooner. It is actually the common occurrence for officials to try to "handle" a situation, even if it is beyond their previous experience, for thus can they broaden their jurisdiction. It is the cavers' job everywhere to convince local authorities to call on them when a cave emergency occurs.
5 cavers became trapped in Kruger Dry Run Cave, in Illinois. While awaiting rescue, members of thr group began to develop severe hypothermia. The group was rescued after 47 hours in the cave.
5 cavers trapped 47 hrs. The Tennessean 3/1/78. Times-Picayune 3/1/78 Sec1 p2. Huntsville Times 3/1/78 p26. St. Louis Post Dispatch 3/1/78. Aglarond 7(7) Mar78 p3. The Southwest Caver 4(2) March-April 1978 p28.
This record was last updated on 27th Apr 2024 at 23:11 UTC.