| Name | Age | Sex | Injuries | Injured areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill, Bromer | 17 | Male | Fracture, contusion | Ankle, chin |
On April 7, 1971, Bill Bromer (17) was injured in a fall from the top of the 180 foot bell-shaped pit entrance to Conley Hole. Bromer, an experienced pit caver and one of a party of 8 from Brebeuf High School Spelunking Club, Indianapolis, had spent 4 hours exploring the cave and was returning up the pit when the accident occurred. He was wet and tired and, at the top of the rope, was attempting to get his prusik knots over the lip when they slipped on the muddy rope. Thinking that he was falling, he clutched at his prusik knots in panic. This further prevented their from catching and he began to rapidly slide back down the rope; all the while holding tightly onto his knots. Just as he was about to hit the ground, he threw out his hands to break the fall; thus releasing the prusik knots. They caught and held him which saved his life but not before he had hit bottom and bounced; due to the stretch in the rope.
Brower, although injured, was talking and concious. News of the accident was relayed to the top and the leader, Lou Larocco, sent down a note containing first aid information. He was covered with a space blanket to protect him from the water which was falling into the pit. Some short time later he was moved away from the waterfall to a safer and more comfortable place. Blankets, warm clothing, medical supplies were relayed from the cars to the victim. Two people left for help with a description of his condition. The Warren County Rescue Squad, headed by Roy Davis, hoisted the youth to the surface in a litter; four hours after the fall. An ambulance took him to Riverpark Hospital where a diagnosis of a broken talus (ankle) bone and a bruised chin was pronounced.
Analysis: This caver should, by instinct, not have touched his prusik knots when he first felt the unpleasant sensation of slipping. Had he left them alone, the knots should have automatically grabbed and locked on the rope almost instantly; thus holding him at the top until he could right himself and continue out of the pit. He was reported to have been wet and tired when the accident occurred. It is probable that both of these conditions contributed to his in- correct reaction to the mishap; cold and fatigue hamper the ability to think clearly in a crisis. His companions handled the situation well and the fact that exposure and shock did not compound the ankle injury, is largely due to their knowledgeable exertions. (Read "Almost Tragic Accident at Conley Hole" by Roy Davis, for a very thorough account of both the accident and the rescue operation. It is printed in the May, 1971, Speleonews.)
(Read "Almost Tragic Accident at Conley Hole" by Roy Davis, for a very thorough account of both the accident and the rescue operation. It is printed in the May, 1971, Speleonews.)
This record was last updated on 27th Apr 2024 at 23:11 UTC.