Exploring Uncharted Territory Gone WRONG | Wildcat Cave Incident

Summary

In 1965, 16 youths from an orphanage embarked on a caving trip to Wildcat Cave. Morris, eager to lead the group, made a wrong turn into an unexplored passage. Wedging himself into a tight crevice, he tumbled headfirst into a 9-inch crack, pinning his body. What followed was a perilous 25-hour rescue mission. With over 200 workers gathered, rescuers used various innovative strategies to free Morris. After slipping multiple times, the exhausted boy was finally pulled free by an Eagle Scout. The crowd erupted into cheers, though the cave entrance was later sealed. This harrowing tale evokes the 2009 Nutty Putty cave tragedy, where wrong turns proved fatal.

Takeaways

• 😟 Morris Bold, a 16 year old boy, became trapped in a narrow crevice while exploring Wildcat Cave in 1965, triggering a 25 hour rescue mission
• 😲 The cave had never been fully mapped or explored before. Morris made a wrong turn down a tight passage, becoming wedged upside down in a 9 inch crack
• 🤔 Morris was disoriented in the darkness, mistaking the downhill passage for the route to a larger chamber believing he was close to an exit
• 😨 Unable to move and struggling to breathe, Morris called desperately for help. Rescuers faced immense difficulties reaching and freeing him
• 😓 Over 200 emergency workers gathered to save Morris. The story became national news with appeals for rescue ideas from the public
• 👩‍⚕️ Nurse Evelyn Pettit comforted Morris for hours in the tight space. Many other volunteers offered help but couldn't reach him
• 🛠 Rescuers tried various equipment and techniques - pulleys, hooks, ropes, lubricant - but progress pulling Morris out was painfully slow
• 🙏 With time running out, 15 year old Eagle Scout Michael Ritch squeezed in and secured a rope for Morris to grip, enabling the final rescue
• 👏 After over 24 grueling hours stuck upside down, Morris was finally extracted from the crevice to cheers from the huge gathered crowd
• 😥 Tragically demonstrating the dangers of cave exploration, the Wildcat Cave entrance was later dynamited closed, like Nutty Putty Cave

Q & A

What was the name of the cave where Morris got trapped?

Morris got trapped in Wildcat Cave located in the Hinckley Reservation in Whip's Ledges.

How did Morris end up getting trapped in the cave?

Morris made a wrong turn while trying to find his way to a large chamber in the cave. He entered a tight crevice where he became pinned and unable to move.

How long was Morris trapped in the cave before being rescued?

Morris was trapped in the cave for over 25 hours before being successfully rescued.

What made the rescue attempts so challenging?

The narrow passages, sharp bends, and limited visibility inside the cave made it very difficult to access and reach Morris. The rescuers also had to be cautious not to get trapped themselves.

Who was the nurse that comforted Morris while he was trapped?

Evelyn 'Pinky' Pettit, a 85lb nurse from Akron drove to the cave and spent nearly 3 hours comforting Morris while rescuers prepared to pull him out.

What was the final successful rescue method used?

15-year old Eagle Scout Michael Riich was able to get close and throw a rope to Morris. He then poured glycerin solution to lubricate Morris's hips and inserted a support board to reduce friction while pulling.

How similar was Morris's experience to that of John Edward Jones?

Both Morris and John made wrong turns inside unmapped cave systems, became pinned in tight spaces alone, and required complex rescue missions lasting many hours.

What happened to Wildcat Cave after Morris was rescued?

The Park Service dynamited the back of Wildcat Cave hours after Morris was freed, similarly to how the entrance of Nutty Putty Cave was sealed with concrete after John Jones died.

Why was Morris still alive after being trapped for 25+ hours?

The 60 degree angle of the crevice allowed sufficient blood flow and prevented Morris from quickly dying compared to steeper angles.

How did the Morris incident impact cave exploration safety?

The dangers of underground passages were clearly exhibited, etching the need for preparation, caution, and safety measures when cave exploring to prevent future tragedies.