No injured cavers recorded.
On July 10, in the early afternoon, Eugene Maroney (31), William Love- joy (28), Dennis Mark (39) and David Kuczynski (28) took the commercial tour at Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. At 3:20 p.m., in the Lunchroom area of the cave, the four men tried to push the potential of the cave. Pulling out weapons, they seized Linda Phillips (24), a tour guide, and demanded one million dollars and a plane to fly them to Brazil.
About 100 tourists were kept from leaving the cave via the elevators due to their fear of getting too close to the kidnappers. Despite the poor health of some, all eventually were escorted out via the historic entrance by rangers. Meanwhile, negotiations were conducted. At around 7:30 p.m. the four surrendered after meeting with Ned Cantwell, publisher of the Carlsbad (New Mexico) Current-Argus, and being promised to be charged with only a misdemeanor, attempted false imprisonment. Later, at their trial, District Court Judge Harry W. Fort rejected these promises and the defendants stood trial for kidnapping.
Even commercial caves are not without hazard-don't be fooled by false promises.
Four gunmen held park staff and members of the public hostage in Carlsbad Caverns for a short period. They later surrendered and were jailed for kidnapping.