Rescuers at the site of the incident. Photo: UWFRA

A caver was rescued from after getting stuck underground in the Yorkshire Dales for more than seven hours.

Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association was called out by police at 9.45pm on Saturday to Swan Dike Pot above Pen-y-ghent Gill.

Four cavers were reported overdue after going into the pothole.

A team spokesperson said: “Two of the party had made their way out of the cave and reported that one member of the party was stuck behind a tight section of passage.”

The Upper Wharfedale team was helped by the Cave Rescue Organisation and Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team was also alerted. The UWFRA spokesperson said: “After several hours the casualty was assisted through the constriction and was on the surface by 5 o’clock on Sunday morning, safe and well.

“The team then derigged the cave and returned to base. We would like to thank Cave Rescue Organisation for their assistance and Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team for being on standby.

The three teams, UWFRA, CRO and Swaledale MRT all respond to calls for help both on the fells of the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding areas, and the caves and potholes in the district.