No injured cavers recorded.
On Saturday afternoon, September 16, three cavers (ages 12 to 17) entered Roubidoux Cave near Waynesville, Missouri. They were wearing short-sleeved shirts, pants and tennis shoes and were without hard hats. After exploring for some time, their flashlights began to fail. As they tried to find a non-existent back entrance their lights failed entirely. They proceeded a ways without light but gave it up and huddled together, awaiting rescue.
That evening they were missed and eventually the Pulaski County Sheriff was called. Later the boys' bicycles were found at the entrance of the cave. Some relatives apparently entered and found a flashlight and a picture carried by one of the cavers. Even so, it wasn't certain that the boys were still in the cave and presumably the search was carried on elsewhere. Finally, at about 6 p.m. on Tuesday, the MSM Spelunker's Club was called. By 11 p.m., 20 cavers from MSM and SEMO were at the cave. They searched for some distance into the cave, eventually finding the lost cavers in a small, low room. They were all cold and the youngest was shivering. They were given warm clothes, spare lights and food and water. On the way out the youngest had to be carried for a short distance. The exiting was otherwise without incident and all were out by 1:30 a.m., Wednesday, after more than three days in the cave.
Analysis: The length of time before a thorough search of the cave was undertaken seems excessive and was largely due to the unfamiliarity of the local authorities with the work of cavers in the area and their rescue capabilities. The condition of the boys was good considering the length of their stay in the cave. They drank cave water with no ill effects. When they stopped, while attempting to find their way in the dark, they were 200 feet from, and heading for, a 40-foot pit. Another example of cavers outside the "organized" caving community using inadequate equipment.
Three children explored Roubidoux Cave, Missouri with inadequate lights and became lost. Local cave rescue organizations found them, unharmed, after three days in the cave.
3 kids (12-17) lost 3 days. Southeastern Caver Sept-Oct 1978 p73.
This record was last updated on 27th Apr 2024 at 23:11 UTC.