The American scientist who turned stranded deep inside a large collapse Turkey after he fell sick mentioned in a video message he recorded within the cavern that he was “near the sting” however is on the mend because of medical assist.
It has been a race in opposition to time to rescue Mark Dickey, 40, an skilled caving fanatic who suffered from gastrointestinal bleeding whereas he was exploring the sprawling Morca collapse southern Turkey.
He has been caught within the cave, the third-deepest within the nation, since Saturday, and it is too strenuous an endeavor for him to climb out in his present state.
Dickey was at a camp 1,040 meters down — or 3,412 ft — on Thursday, in accordance with the Turkish Caving Federation, which is aiding within the effort.
“Mark’s situation continues to enhance. The medical doctors will resolve whether it is attainable for him to stroll with no stretcher,” the caving federation mentioned in a press release
In a video dated Wednesday, which the Turkish authorities shared Thursday with The Related Press, Dickey is on his ft and smiling, reassuring viewers by saying, “I am doing nicely.”
“I used to be very near the sting when Jessica obtained again to me,” he mentioned, referring to his fiancée, who was caving with him. “So many because of the Turkish authorities and the Turkish cavers which are serving to to assist the worldwide group right here.”
He credited the swift Turkish medical help response for saving his life.
“I need to thank everybody that’s down right here and thank the response of the caving group. The caving world actually is a tight-knit group, and it is superb to see how many individuals have responded on the floor,” Dickey mentioned.
“We’re nonetheless ready for communications to really attain down right here, so proper now it’s a day to 2 days’ value of journey for data to get forwards and backwards,” he mentioned. “So I don’t fairly know what’s occurred, however I do know that the fast response of the Turkish authorities to get the medical provides that I wanted, in my view, saved my life.”
Dickey reassured the general public he is doing higher since he was handled.
“I stay up for working with everybody to securely get myself out with their help,” he mentioned. “As you may see, I’m up, I’m alert, I’m speaking, however I’m not healed on the within but, so I’m going to want a variety of assist to get out of right here.”
Towards the tip of the video Dickey turned emotional as he thanked the response effort and mentioned, “It’s actually particular to be taken care of.”
