New York forest rangers free hiker pinned in Merlin's Cave crevice

Forest rangers from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation freed a Brooklyn man who had been wedged in a rock crevice inside Merlin's Cave for six hours. The man was hiking with friends on May 17 when he slipped into the crevice roughly 400 feet from the entrance and became completely immobilized.

Rescue Operation Forest Ranger Lt.

John Gullen said the man's body fit the crevice so tightly that initial attempts by his three companions to pull him free failed and left all four people hypothermic. Gullen noted cave temperatures near 50 degrees Fahrenheit and near-100 percent humidity caused rapid heat loss once movement stopped.

Rescuers used a rock drill to remove stone inches from the man's head and back until he could wiggle free. "Once we were able to get to a point where we could high-five, we were high-fiving," Gullen said. The man walked out of the cave after being warmed.

Gullen added that the rescued hiker kept a positive attitude, exchanging thumbs-ups and jokes with the crew throughout the operation.