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Two students at the University of Florida were tragically killed while caving in the Crockford Pigeon Wildlife Management Area. Michael Pirie, 18, of Ocoee, Florida and Grant Lockenbach, 20, of DeLand, Florida were caving with eight other members of the University of Florida Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Lockenback descended 60 feet into the middle of snow-fed waterfall to retrieve a duffle bag that another friend had somehow dropped down the shaft. Somehow, Lockenbach’s rope got tangled in the icy water and he was unable to move up or down. After Lockenbach called for help, Pirie went down the cave to try and rescue him. Neither student returned. Their bodies were later found by emergency crew members still dangling from the rope in the waterfall. Their bodies were taken to the state crime laboratory in Atlanta for autopsies. Steve Wilson, Sheriff of Walker County, Georgia, said both men had apparently died of hypothermia. David Ashburn, Director of Emergency Services for Walker County, Georgia, said the group was ill-equipped for the weather conditions of the caves, which stay around 50-60 degrees year-round; the water was probably around 40 degrees. Both men were wearing shorts and a t-shirt. Wilson stated the men probably survived 20-30 minutes in the rushing ice water. The other eight members who did not descend into the cave had to be treated by emergency crew members for mild hypothermia. For more please read Two University of Florida students killed during caving expedition.
The deaths of these two men are a tragedy for their families and communities. Although caves are beautiful, these areas can be quite dangerous. Caves stay at low temperatures due to lack of sunlight and can be filled with ice-cold waterfalls and other rushing water.