| Name | Age | Sex | Injuries | Injured areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferrell, Gary | Not recorded | Male | Compound fracture and laceration | Left arm |
On May 10 Randy and Gary Ferrell were caving in Sinnit Cave, Pendleton County, West Virginia. Traffic in the cave was described as moderate by others but there were several other groups in the cave at the time. The two Ferrells had just come out of "Fisher's Tube" and were ascending to the Big Room. Gary Ferrell "lost his grip" and fell about 40 feet down slope, into and down the Fisher's Tube Shaft (the vertical drop overlooking the Fissure Passage), down the scree funnel below it and into the portal of the Fissure. The fall was heard by others in the Big Room, including Andy and Richard Huttner, Ron Kazen, Len Lewis and Scott Steinkolk. Examination of the victim showed a compound fracture and severe laceration of the left arm. The laceration was treated and a sling and chest support for the arm was rigged from nylon webbing. One group went for more help and another, with one person free climbing alongside the victim, belayed and lowered Ferrell down the Saltpeter Chute. Forty-five minutes of work got them down to the bridge where they were met by Robert Wingrove, a mine rescue expert. Once out of the cave, they were greeted by the local rescue squad who conducted the victim on to the hospital.
ANALYSIS: So many cavers free climb exposed pitches without protection that one has to think that a belay or handline would eliminate most accidents resulting from falls in exposed climbing. Why aren't more belays used? Possibly because it is not "the thing to do," possibly because in original exploration one is too turned on to take the time or has already run out of rope, or possibly because in well-traveled routes one knows that many others have previously passed successfully.