Emergency workers freed two young hikers stuck inside a Martic Township cave on Friday.

The two, along with a third man, were hiking a popular trail overlooking the Susquehanna River near Pequea when they reached an area with numerous natural caverns known locally as Cool Caves.

VIDEO: Rescuers free man stuck in Martic cave


"They decided to take a walk back through the caves," said Brandon Evans, deputy fire chief of Pequea Fire Company. "Two of the individuals got stuck in the cave, the third managed to make his way back out to contact 911 to help get his buddies out."

Evans, who declined to identify the hikers other than to say they ranged in age from 18 to 20, said the three had worked their way about 150 feet into the cave, which has a series of narrow crevasses. Reaching one such crevasse, the first hiker wormed his way through, but the second got wedged by his upper torso.

"He tried to slide through and was pinned sideways," Evans said.

The first hiker couldn't get out of the cave because the second hiker blocked the only way out.

The third hiker, who had not gone through the crevasse, worked his way back out to summon help.

Evans said the trapped hiker was freed by soaking him and the area around where he was stuck with soapy water and sliding him out.

"We didn't have to chisel or anything like that," he said.

The stuck hiker suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Evans said the woodland trail and natural caves off Bridge Valley Road attract many hikers.

"Lots of people go back and hike them and climb through them," he said. "On any given weekend, you'll find 10 to 15 cars parked out here while people are hiking. But it's been a while since we've had anyone get trapped in one."

Pequea Fire Company was assisted by emergency personnel from Rawlinsville, Quarryville, Willow Street, Conestoga Ambulance, LEMSA, Susquehanna Valley EMS and the Lancaster County Rescue Task Force.

Staff writer Taylor Bundy contributed to this report.

lalexander@lnpnews.com