Moment cavers embark on dramatic rescue mission after sheep falls down 90ft fissure
William Burnett, Chris Arthur and Ami Stidolph fashioned a makeshift sling out of their ropes to lift the female sheep to safety on Sunday.
The three cavers were exploring one of their favourite underground routes when Mr Arthur spotted the animal from above.
The sheep had taken a huge tumble as the group had descended around 90ft into the cave before spotting the helpless animal.
What started as a nice day out at New Rift Pot, Masongill, North Yorkshire, suddenly turned into an hour and a half rescue mission to save the sheep they named Beryl.
The members of Kendal Caving Club were careful to not startle the sheep, which would cause it to drop down even further into the abyss.
The group slowly abseiled down to the animal's level before attaching her to the harness.
Fortunately, the sheep remained calm throughout the mission.
After 90 excruciating minutes, Beryl was returned safely to the surface.
Mr Burnett, 33, said: 'Chris was up first to rig and quickly got to work scrambling down the entrance climb to the pitch head, closely followed by me and Ami bringing up the rear.
'It wasn't long at all before Chris stopped dead in his tracks and was staring down at something below.
'Low and behold, the rough shape of a sheep's back could be spotted at the bottom of the pitch; it must have taken a tumble from above the entrance into the rift and then at least one other to get to where it was.
'Beryl just sat in her 'harness' completely unfazed with the most chilled out expression on her face.
'On the surface, Beryl had a new lease of life and kicked up a fight whilst Chris was taking off her harness - perhaps she wasn't done with New Rift Pot just yet.'
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