Rescuers: German cave researcher trapped nearly 2 weeks underground nearly free

BERLIN – Alpine rescue crews say a German cave researcher is close to seeing the light of day again after suffering head injuries in an accident deep underground nearly two weeks ago.

Germany’s mountain rescue service said after a short pause overnight, its team resumed work early Thursday morning to bring Johann Westhauser the final 180 metres (590 feet) to the surface.

The going has been slow as rescuers have had to haul Westhauser by hand through the narrow winding passage.

Westhauser was injured June 8 while nearly 1,000 metres (3,280 feet) underground in the Riesending cave system in the Alps near the Austrian border.

A medical station has been set up at the mouth of the cave so Westhauser can be examined as soon as he is free.

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