Harry Hesketh in caving action in 2006

Harry Hesketh in caving action in 2006

The daughter of a caver who died in a Yorkshire Dales pothole has thanked all those who tried to rescue him, after visiting the site of the incident.

Harry Hesketh succumbed to his injuries in Curtain Pot on the flanks of Fountains Fell in June this year.

Attempts to free Mr Hesketh, known as Eski, involved almost 100 volunteer rescue team members and fellow cavers for more than 17 hours.

Mr Hesketh, of Bradley, North Yorkshire, broke a femur when he fell 6m down a pitch in the cave.

Some members of the Cave Rescue Organisation, accompanied by Frank Walker, one of Mr Hesketh’s climbing partners, took the late potholer’s daughter Wendy Uchimura to the site recently.

She said: “I greatly appreciate CRO taking the time to meet me, give a tour of the depot, and then accompany me and Frank Walker up to Curtain Pot, despite the ’slightly’ inclement weather.

“It helped me understand more about events on the day, the difficulties faced, and the tremendous efforts taken to try and rescue my dad.

“My respect has only deepened for everyone who was involved, as it was obviously an incredibly hard task, and I remain eternally grateful to them.”

Ms Uchimura also released a picture of her father at the entrance to Rocky Pot a few years ago, which she said would be of interest to fellow cavers.

Along with the CRO, Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association, Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team, Cumbria Ore Mines Rescue Unit and Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team were all involved in the operation to try to save Mr Hesketh’s life, along with members of Bradford Pothole Club and the Yorkshire Subterranean Society and the CRO cavers’ list. Personnel from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue also worked with the volunteer rescuers.

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