Injured caver carried out of a cave in Mexico

In exploring a small cave in the Sierra de Álvarez in Mexico on August 13, Bob Alderson, of Roanoke, VA, fell when climbing down a small pit. A Mexican cave rescue team spent about two hours bringing him out, immobilized him, and took him to an emergency room in San Luis Potosí. Eight doctors evaluated and treated him for two cracked ribs, a cracked vertebra that required surgery to stabilize it, a break without displacement of the pelvis, two cuts requiring stitches, bruises, and 12 nights in the hospital. Following the hospital stay, he will be in an apartment in San Luis Potosí about four weeks, with instructions not to put weight on his left leg as it heals, until he receives medical clearance to return to Roanoke and to continue recovery with physical therapy under the care of his doctors.

Funds received from Go Fund Me will help to defray expenses not covered by insurance and to reimburse a friend who lost time from work in order to help him in the hospital. Any excess will be for Mexican cave rescue expenses and the National Speleological Society.