Trapped 80 metres underground for more than 48 hours, caver Geoffrey McDonnell, 47, had prepared himself to die.
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The diabetic told AAP that he desperately struggled for freedom, digging and shouting for help after he became trapped in the Bouverie Cave system.
The St Mary’s man had set up camp in the Wombeyan Caves National Park on Friday afternoon and waited for his friends.
At 7pm he decided to go into the cave by himself, taking a camera, muesli bars and a torch.
It wasn’t until Saturday morning that Mr McDonnell was located wedged inside the cave by a large rock.
It was lucky he had accidentally left a water bottle at the entrance.
The Berrima District Volunteer Rescue Squad (VRA), the Police Rescue Squad, and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) worked through the night to try and reach him.
VRA captain Mark Woods said, due to the confined circumstances, two local rescue squad members and NPWS member were the only people physically small enough to proceed through the cave to the area where the missing man was located.
For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Friday, May 23
