A caver who sparked a massive rescue effort at Wombeyen Caves earlier this year filmed himself saying goodbye to family and friends because he was convinced he would die trapped.
Jeffrey John McDonnell, 47, lived, but the ordeal cost him $15,000 in fines and compensation as well as the respect of the caving community.
McDonnell, 47, a technical officer, of St Marys, pleaded guilty in Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday to entering a cave without authority and risking the safety of others in a park.
In a story that reads like a "what not to do when caving", the court heard that McDonnell got trapped in a locked cave at Wombeyan Caves in May sparking a rescue effort involving 100 people over 40 hours.
For the full story, please see Friday's Goulburn Post, available from our front office in Auburn St, or at all leading newsagencies across the Goulburn area
Source: Goulburn Post
Friday, August 15, 2008
Caver had filmed his final farewell
A caver who sparked a massive rescue effort at Wombeyen Caves earlier this year filmed himself saying goodbye to family and friends because he was convinced he would die trapped.
Jeffrey John McDonnell, 47, lived, but the ordeal cost him $15,000 in fines and compensation as well as the respect of the caving community.
McDonnell, 47, a technical officer, of St Marys, pleaded guilty in Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday to entering a cave without authority and risking the safety of others in a park.
In a story that reads like a "what not to do when caving", the court heard that McDonnell got trapped in a locked cave at Wombeyan Caves in May sparking a rescue effort involving 100 people over 40 hours.
For the full story, please see Friday's Goulburn Post, available from our front office in Auburn St, or at all leading newsagencies across the Goulburn area
Source: Goulburn Post
Jeffrey John McDonnell, 47, lived, but the ordeal cost him $15,000 in fines and compensation as well as the respect of the caving community.
McDonnell, 47, a technical officer, of St Marys, pleaded guilty in Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday to entering a cave without authority and risking the safety of others in a park.
In a story that reads like a "what not to do when caving", the court heard that McDonnell got trapped in a locked cave at Wombeyan Caves in May sparking a rescue effort involving 100 people over 40 hours.
For the full story, please see Friday's Goulburn Post, available from our front office in Auburn St, or at all leading newsagencies across the Goulburn area
Source: Goulburn Post