| Name | Age | Sex | Injuries | Injured areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawkins, Steve | 21 | Not recorded | Not recorded | Not recorded |
At about 6:30 a.m. on May 27 three cavers entered Johnson Saltpeter Cave in Putnam County, Tennessee. They proceeded for about 3,000 feet to a 40 foot pit. This they rigged with a rope and rappelled down. Two ascended again but the third, Steve Hawkins (21), was unable to do so. The others tried to help but finally, at 6 p.m., left the cave and notified the Putnam County Rescue Squad. A team was assembled and at about p.m. the rescue began, some proceeding to the pit, some staging along the way to help in the evacuation. The initial effort failed and the Lebanon Unit of Nashville Grotto Cave & Pit Rescue was called in. The victim was hauled up the pit and conducted to the entrance, reaching the surface by midnight.
The cavers were apparently using hand-over-hand technique, and this led to the stranding.
Caver Steve Hawkins (21) was stranded in Johnson Saltpeter Cave after failing to ascend a 40 foot pit using hand-over-hand technique. Rescued safely by midnight.