College Students Die Trapped in Frigid Ga. Cave Waterfall

Source: CBS/AP

Two college students have died in a Georgia cave after rappelling into a waterfall and getting stuck under the frigid water.

Authorities in the north Georgia mountains say the two men from the University of Florida apparently died of hypothermia. It took rescuers more than eight hours Saturday to retrieve their bodies from a depth of about 100 feet.

Coroner Dewayne Wilson said autopsy results are expected Monday afternoon.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/02/14/national/main20031828.shtml

:cry:

My heart goes out to their families...

I hope they didn't suffer. I used to go caving years ago and the people I went with told me so many horror stories about caving accidents. Caves are nothing to mess around with. One should only go with experienced cavers.

so perhaps they didn't suffer too much.

the group and decided to explore by themselves. "They were only dressed in T-shirts and jogging shorts and certainly were not dressed appropriately for going in a cave," Wilson said ...
2 University of Florida students die exploring Georgia cave
By Rick Martin, CNN
February 14, 2011 7:01 a.m. EST
http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/02/14/georgia.cave.deaths/

... According to local reports, Lockenbach had decided to retrieve a bag that had fallen down a 125-foot drop where water was rushing down. He subsequently got tangled in his ropes and called for help. Pirie ... volunteered to help but also became trapped in the ropes with water drenching over him ... Lockenbach and Pirie were both inexperienced cavers ...
Vigil held for University of Florida students in cave death
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/briefs/articles/90034362?Vigil%20held%20for%20University%20of%20Florida%20students%20in%20cave%20death