Clemson University Students Caught in Cave, Escape

[TomSea]

Clemson University Students Caught in Cave, Escape

A group of college students inside a Kentucky cave waded through neck-deep water to get to safety.

By CLAIRE GALOFARO and BRUCE SCHREINER, Associated Press

HORSE CAVE, Ky. (AP) — Gary Russell was a mile deep in a Kentucky cave, leading a group of geology students on a five-hour tour, when he turned a corner and saw water rushing by where water wasn't supposed to be.

He had no way to communicate with the outside world Thursday afternoon. He had no idea that a flash flood was pouring through the cave's passages toward them, or that dozens of rescuers were already gathering at the entrance to begin a perilous hours-long journey to rescue them.

All he knew was that water wasn't supposed to be this deep in the cave and that meant trouble.

Russell and his group were among 19 people who escaped the flooded Hidden River Cave. They navigated neck-deep water, rushing currents and mud so thick it sucked off the police chief's boot. It was pitch black.

Read More At: http://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2016-05-27/cave-escape-rushing-water-sucking-mud-and-pitch-black