No injured cavers recorded.
At about 4 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, James McClain, James Edwards, and Larry Jenkins (all 16-18) entered Blowing Cave, north of Scottsboro in Jackson County, Alabama. While exploring they may have become confused as to direction but in any case eventually experienced failure of all their light sources but one, a kerosene lantern. They decided to sit and wait for help. When they failed to return, those who knew of their objective called the police. The Scottsboro Rescue Squad arrived at the cave and attempted to search for the lost cavers, paying out string to find their way. They were unsuccessful and eventually contacted the Madison County Rescue Squad for assistance. Members, including cavers who knew the cave well, were activated and arrived at the scene at about 4:30 a.m. They began a search and soon found the lost cavers just beyond the 'Wild Cat Rock Pile." They were escorted out.
The group did the right thing in waiting for rescue. Scottsboro, inexperienced in cave searches, should have called for help sooner. Another example of non-organized cavers having insufficient light sources.