| Name | Age | Sex | Injuries | Injured areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guy, Gunter | 19 | Male | Internal injuries, abrasions, lacerations | Liver, elbow |
On July 4, 1971, a large group of cavers, all grotto affiliated, visited the cave as a training session for the less experienced members of this group. Steven's Gap Cave has two entrances - one is a 132 foot pit, 30 feet in diameter and open to the outside, while the other entrance is a steeply sloped walking passage approximately 50 feet from the pit. This horizontal passage is about 200 feet long and connects with the pit entrance where it drops off 30 feet to the floor.
After the more experienced cavers had "yo-yoed" the pit, Joyce Carpenter (21) again descended to give belays to the trainees. Guy Gunter (19) went into the horizontal entrance and was at the junction of the two entrances, about 30 feet above Joyce, relaying communications, when he slipped from the ledge. According to Joyce, he fell the full 30 feet, landed on his chest, bounced, and remained unconscious for about 5 minutes. Time: approximately 12:00 noon.
By 1:00 pm word of the accident had reached the Huntsville Grotto Rescue Squad. From the description of Gunter's injuries, broken ribs and a punctured lung were suspected. They gathered two blankets, cut two poles for a stretcher, and walked to the pit.
John Cole rappelled down to Gunter and with help from Joyce tied him and the stretcher to the main rope. As the stretcher was slowly pulled up to the 30 foot ledge, Cole climbed another rope alongside the stretcher to prevent it from hitting the side of the pit. At the ledge the stretcher was untied and hand-carried out of the cave. Time: 3:30 pm. While the stretcher was being pulled up, Mirian Cuddington telephoned the Huntsville Hospital with a description of Gunter's possible injuries.
Gunter was admitted to the hospital at 4:45pm where he remained for approximately a week. In addition to a ruptured liver, internal bruises, and many external abrasions and bruises, he received 6 stitches in his right elbow.
Analysis: (Moss) Gunter does not remember falling or landing on the rocks below. Apparently he "blacked out", causing his body to relax, thus possibly saving his life. Gunter does not have a history of dizzy spells or black-outs. I must assume that he merely slipped from the wet ledge. Although somewhat a novice in vertical caving, Gunter was skilled enough to accomplish Steven's Gap Cave. (Anderson) This accident points to the necessity of being tied in when it becomes necessary to stand near the edge of a drop.