A well-known Co Donegal man and his wife have shared their overwhelming experience after a day out at Marble Arch Caves turned into an ordeal after the caves became flooded.
Alistair Hay and Kim Mahon Hay were forced to wade their way through torrents of floodwater after the incident at the Co Fermanagh attraction on Sunday afternoon last.
Mr Hay, who runs Emerald Guitars in St Johnson, posted a video on social media recounting their ordeal.
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Alistair told how the caves were plunged into darkness as water came gushing into the caves.
The lights returned as generators kicked as guides led the Donegal couple and their fellow explorers were forced to try their way back up to the surface.
Alistair revealed “About 30 minutes into our tour our guide received a radio call to say there was torrential rain on the surface.
“Suddenly we started to hear waterfalls begin inside the caves and the lights went out a couple of times leaving us in total blackness for about 15 seconds before the generators kicked in.
“As we progressed through the cave we encountered a waterfall coming down onto the pathway and we weren’t sure if we were going to have to go through the water or turn back.”
He continued “After a few minutes the team of guides decided the safest option was to progress through the water. We thought it was just the one section but it turned out the steps to the surface had turned into a waterfall as well.
“We all had to carefully walk up the stairs against the raging current to the surface.
“It was a very scary encounter for us all but the team of guides were fantastic and made everyone feel safe at all times.”
Alistair added that it was “definitely a day we will never forget” but vowed to go back to the cave and complete the tour.
And he added “A big thank you to the staff at Marble Arch who acted fast and professionally to bring us all to safety during a very unusual situation.
“The manager said in her 20 years she had never encountered such a situation before.”
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