On Thursday morning, a rescue operation for a Czech cave researcher took place in the Alsó-hegy region. The caves of Alsó-hegy have been explored not only by generations of Hungarian cavers but also by Czech speleologists for several decades. Their work has provided us with extensive information and precise maps of many caves in the Alsó-hegy. They have made significant progress in several cave exploration, and in 2022, they discovered the currently 11-meter deep Éves-zsomboly. Each year, we eagerly read the summary of their team's work and peruse their monograph on the Alsó-hegy, published in both Czech and English language.
This year's expedition camp was set up next to the Jég Cave in Komjáti, from where they conducted their research trips.
On Thursday morning, a Czech researcher was found in serious medical condition by his fellows in his tent. Without any prior warning signs, he was suddenly found in a severe, life-threatening condition that surely could not be managed in the camp. Once it became clear that he needs urgent medical care and immediate rescue, they tried to seek help. The Életmentő moblie application, which provides precise geolocation data to the rescuers, did not work due to the lack of mobile network coverage, and they had great difficulties when communicating with the dispatcher of the 112 hotline by phone.
The duty officer of the National Ambulance Services immediately contacted the Aggtelek National Park Directorate. The National Parks rangers left to approach the campsite with 4x4s with a team of OMSz medical unit on board. Meanwhile, the cave rescuers from our Gömör-Tornai Regional Unit prepared and also placed themselves on standby, ready to assist with the patient's surface transport in the difficult-to-access terrain if necessary. Based on the latest updates on the patient's condition and the suggestions of the rangers, the rescue coordinator initiated the dispatch of the rescue helicopter stationed in Miskolc.
The coordination of the helicopter unit was greatly aided by , dr Péter Temesvári, a doctor with the BMSz, who was working with an other air rescue unit and could provide valuable information to his colleagues via radio. It was also a fortunate coincidence that the paramedic on the Miskolc air ambulance unit, Péter Böszörményi, has a background in caving and relevant local knowledge, and he is also a cave rescuer with the North Hungarian Cave Rescue Association based in Miskolc.
At the time the air rescuers took off, it was uncertain how close the helicopter could get to the Czech camp – whether they could land somewhere in the dense fores area or would need to land further away near the Szabó-pallag house. The members of the Czech camp quickly cleared a nearby meadow, moving fallen branches and trees away and placing visible signals for the helicopter crew. During this time, the nature National Park rangers prepared the optional landing site next to Szabó-pallag.
Fortunately, the landing next to the Jég Cave was successful, and the air rescuers quickly began treating the seriously ill researcher. Following high-level medical care, he was transported by helicopter to the BAZ County Central Hospital in Miskolc, where treatment began after examinations.
We would like to thank the air rescuers, the professionals of the National Ambulance Service, and the Aggtelek National Park Directorate, the NP’s Ranger Services for their flexible coordination in rescuing our Czech fellow researcher and for providing quick and high-level medical care.
On behalf of the entire Hungarian caving community, we wish our friend Pavel a quick recovery and hope to see him back soon in the caves and our caving camps soon.