It was summer 1955. We decided to meet up again the following Easter at Ingleton. So in 1956, after exploring a few caves around Ingleton and Clapham, we decided to form ourselves into a proper group. It was August-September 1956 we held a meeting in the Wheatsheaf Hotel, Ingleton.

FATAL ACCIDENT IN MOSSDALE CAVERNS 1967 by Len Huff page 3: by permission of UWFRA

Des Birch, Alan Fincham, Malcolm Budd, Harry Long and Barry Greenwood suggested it would be better to move all these bodies to a small side passage and bury them in a shallow grave and seal it off. This was considered the best we could do except to accept an offer, made by someone through the Police, for the use of a drilling machine capable of sinking a 32" diameter shaft. This was accepted, therefore Dr. Lord’s party were asked to enter about 10.00 hours Wednesday and locate the relative position on the surface. Huff, Hainsworth and others surveyed the moor behind the Caverns for a likely place to bring a heavy machine. We later learned that the person offering this machine had no authority to do so, but we could have it at £50 per hour. The weight of the machine and truck is 56 tons; the heaviest component being about 36 tons. This, then, was out of the question, due to the soft nature of the ground which would have to be traversed.

By 08.00 hours, weather conditions deteriorated considerably and heavy rain began to fall. Later that day, Reg Hainsworth considered conditions unfavourable for work at Far Marathon Passage, and Superintendent Glendinning, with the Coroner, discussed with Hainsworth, Fincham, Boardman and Coe and those who had been taking part, that sealing of the entrance was the best thing under the circumstances, and finally restore the countryside by destroying the dams and filling in the new water-course. This work was completed within the next day or so.

"NEVER HAS SO MUCH BEEN DONE BY SO MANY PEOPLE FOR SUCH A SMALL REWARD"
- o -- o--o-- o-- o -- o -- o -- o -- o -- o -- o--o-- o-- o -- o -- o -- o -- o –
Those dead are:
David Adamson, Lofthouse Place,Leeds.
Geoffrey Boireau,Fearnlea Crescent,Swinton.
William Frakes,Eldwick,Bingley.
John Ogden,Cuerden St,Colne.
Michael Ryan,Dean Close,Bradford.
Colin Vickers,Kenley Mount,Bradford.

- o -- o--o-- o-- o -- o -- o -- o -- o -- o -- o--o-- o-- o -- o -- o -- o -- o -

Conclusion
In 1956 Messrs. Len Huff, Don Robinson and Wally Keay visited the late W.D. Roberts and discussed with him the problems of a Mossdale rescue, particularly in times of flood. We also pressed for permission to dig a long deep channel to divert the water, but he could not permit this as it involved other people. We now know that this cave is on common Land and permission to enter these caves need not be sought from Mr. Roberts. This gentleman's son now owns the game rights and most of the grazing rights, but does this restrict access to a cave? Another point which did not emphasise our case was the fact that only one rescue had been carried out at Mossdale up to the time of our visit (U.W.F.R.A. Operation 37, 26th July, 1953). True, that also was due to flood water, but to a far lesser degree than was experienced on 24th June 1967. The application was not pressed and it simply faded away. Moreover, the caverns had been closed for some time due to movement in the large boulder fall at the entrance.

Professor G. Sweeting at the Litton Meteorological Office Station says the rainfall on Saturday, 24th June, was 1.12 inches:  ¾ inch fell between the hours of 17.00 and 20.00. One inch of rain equals 22,630 gallons per acre, and Mossdale has an approximate gathering ground of 1,500 acres, which was already wet, hence water running straight off, and aided by gripping (surface drainage).

 Once Mossdale Caverns have been re-opened or worse still, when people use the original entrance, which is at present available, the problems of rescue are far greater than the Mossdale effort of 24th June and the subsequent few days. The entrance used by the deceased and the rescuers was the new or east entrance, which as I have already quoted, is now sealed.  Should another rescue ever have to be launched at Mossdale through rising waters, mechanical diggers and machines of that nature, also the Fire Service with pumps must be a first priority. I would certainly consider the use of helicopters to lift larger pumps to the scene.

Up to date, Inductor telephones and Search Coils should be acquired by rescue teams who have large cave systems in their area.

With one last reference to Mossdale, I was very sorry that the diversion channel was destroyed. All that was required was to block the upstream entrance and leave the rest open, or make two small bridges to permit livestock to pass from one part of the moor to another. The trench could have been fenced off with pig netting to prevent animals getting in. Even if they did, then a ramp on the upstream side, and an open entry at the bottom, would suffice. There are far greater dangers on the moors with the presence of disused mine shafts and gripping deepened by age.

Where new super severe caves are being found, it would be wise to pass on to the rescue teams a survey of that system and the names and addresses of those who surveyed it, as they will be the people who will have to play a leading role in recovery work in that particular system.

I am sure much has been learned from such tragic circumstances and it might not be a bad thing if we re-considered techniques for such large scale activities, remembering it is not one particular team doing it - we are all in it together, and the responsibility of trying to save lives rests with us all.

The Mossdale Caverns Tragedy
Saturday 24th June, Sunday 25th June, Monday 26th June,
Tuesday 27th June, Wednesday 28th June l967.

Those taking part were:—
Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association.
Cave Rescue Organisation (all 10 teams)
West Rising Constabulary (Skipton Division)
R. A. F. Mountain Rescue Team, Leeming, Yorkshire.
Teams from the Lancashire Mountain Accident Panel.
West Riding county Fire Service.
West Riding County Ambulance Service.
Leeds City Police Frogmen.
West Riding Constabulary Cadet Training Team.
Scargill House, Kettlewell (food and personnel).
Bewerley Park Outdoor Pursuits Centre, Pateley Bridge.
Yorkshire Dales National Park Warden Service.
W. V. Patrick (Builders) Limited, Grassington, (Machines).
G. B. Houghton, Contractors, Bentham, (Digger).
Taylor Woodrow, Hellifield, (Tractor).
West Riding Emergency Feeding Scheme, Wakefield.
Civil Defence Office, Skipton.
Royal Engineers, Ripon.
Caving personnel from various clubs.
Dr. H. Lord, Derbyshire C.R.0. (Communications).
The peoples of Conistone, Kilnsey, Kettlewell and Grassington.

Underground Leader:  Desmond Birch assisted by Alan Fincham and Brian Boardman.
Surface Leaders:  Len Huff and Reg Hainsworth assisted by Chris Baker and Harry Long.
Police:   Chief Inspector Scott, Inspector Poskitt and Sergeant Gains.