In 1925, a rescue mission turned tragic when a man became trapped in a cave and slowly met his demise while still conscious and communicative. Renowned explorer William Floyd Collins ventured into Sand Cave in Kentucky with only a single kerosene lamp for illumination. Collins, who had previously commercialized a cave system, was trying to widen a narrow passage in Sand Cave when his lamp began to dim around 55 feet below the surface. Realizing the danger of being stuck in darkness, Collins tried to exit the cave but accidentally dislodged a rock that pinned his ankle and left him trapped in an uncomfortable position.
Despite being trapped, Collins managed to communicate with a young boy who entered the cave, sparking a rescue effort. Initially, attempts to pull Collins out failed, causing him significant pain. Rescue teams then tried to chip away at the rock trapping his foot, but progress was slow due to freezing air entering the cave. The situation garnered national attention, attracting a surge of people to the area including reporters, engineers, military personnel, and volunteers.
As interest in the rescue grew, the cave surroundings became crowded and unstable. Eventually, on February 4, a cave-in blocked access to Collins, cutting off all paths to reach him. Efforts to dig a vertical shaft to rescue him were hindered by adverse weather conditions. When rescuers finally reached Collins on February 16, they found him lifeless, having passed away days earlier. Due to safety concerns, his body was left in the cave, later being stolen and displayed in a glass coffin.
In 1989, Collins was laid to rest near the cave, and his story has inspired various forms of media. William Burke “Skeets” Miller’s interview with Collins during the ordeal earned him a Pulitzer Prize for journalism.