No injured cavers recorded.
At about 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, John McReynolds (16), Ron Funnell (19) and Greg Rogers (15) entered Ebenezer Cave in West Knox County near Knoxville, Tennessee. Only McReynolds had any caving experience, having previously been in this cave. They had only two flashlights between them and no helmets or lug-sole boots. The cave is well-known locally and closed to caving.
After 30 minutes of exploration the group was heading out and arrived at a 40 foot pit about 200 feet south west of the cave entrance. This pit necessitates an exposed traverse with only a few holds, wet and muddy. They had done the traverse on the way in. As McReynolds attempted to crawl across with a flashlight in his hand, he slipped and fell, striking two ledges before landing in waist-deep water.
The noise of the fall and the screams of Rogers and Funnell brought the quick assistance of another group. six cavers, who were exploring nearby on the stream level. While John Walker, of this group, pulled the victim out of the water, Rollin Hotchkiss went for help.
Outside, Hotchkiss called the 911 emergency number. The operator alerted the fire department which alerted the Knoxville Volunteer Rescue Squad. The KVRS called a caver squad member, Tricia Fink and she and Gary Daugherty responded directly to the scene. Arriving at 6:30 p.m. Fink observed a lack of cave-trained personnel and had the E. Tennessee Grotto called for additional personnel. These arrived at 8 p.m.
The two cavers stranded on the far side of the pit were allowed to crawl across while safetied by a locking 'biner to a fixed line.
Meanwhile an EMT, Rick Crux, descended to the victim and aided him while a hauling system was set up. With Crux and Daugherty attached to the litter, it was hauled up, reaching the top of the pit at p.m. McReynolds was out of the cave by 9:21 p.m.
Analysis: The group was under-experienced and under-equipped for what they were doing. Even teenagers can learn proper belaying techniques- any exposed, tricky climb or tranverse should be belayed. Even a crude belay might have saved this situation.
Three inexperienced teenagers entered Ebenzeer Cave, TN on 11 April, 1981. One falls during a slippery traverse and is successfully rescued by local cavers and emergency personell.