Aug 27, 2002 By Patty Shultz 3 min read

SOUTH CONNELLSVILLE – A late afternoon spelunking expedition turned into a rescue mission after three explorers lost their way. “It got a little scary,” said Matthew Klink of Uniontown of the 12-hour underground ordeal.

On Sunday afternoon, Klink, 29, and his nephew Michael Williams, 19, of Fairchance decided they would take another family member, Shane Klink, 11, of South Connellsville, exploring in the Casparis caves.

Matthew Klink’s girlfriend, Kim Geyer, took the trio to the popular area that is frequented by hunters, ATV enthusiasts and hikers, especially during the weekends, with plans to return later in the evening.

“Mike and I have been there many times and we wanted to show Shane,” said Matthew Klink. “It’s really a great place; inside there’s several big rooms and a waterfall; it’s a lot of fun.”

But shortly after entering the underground cave at about 4 p.m., Williams dropped his flashlight as he made his way through the area. A short time later, the youngest member of the group lost his light, leaving only one flashlight to show the way.

“Just as we were on our way out, the bulb in my flashlight went,” said Matthew Klink.

With no other means to find their way to an exit, the three sat down and waited for help.

“Kim and my mom knew where we were, so I knew someone would come and find us,” said Matthew Klink.

Geyer, meanwhile, had arrived at the agreed upon time of 6:30 p.m., but the three had not arrived at the pick-up point.

Not thinking that any trouble had befallen the explorers, Geyer decided to visit Matthew Klink’s mother to give the trio another hour to exit the cave.

“But when I went back, they still weren’t there,” said Geyer.

She engaged the help of another individual to check the cave, but he, too, was unable to see them or converse with them.

“I started to get scared, so I called 911 and they said they’d contact someone to come and help us,” said Geyer.

At about 10:30 p.m., rescue personnel from South Connellsville and Connellsville Township fire departments, Fayette EMS and state police with equipment had assembled at the site in preparation of entering the cave.

Matthew Klink said the three made an effort to remain calm and hope someone would arrive to help them find their way out of the cave.

“It was pretty cold,” he said.

At about 4:30 a.m., the three were brought out by their rescuers.

“We were really glad to see them,” said Geyer.

Matthew Klink said neither he nor his companions plan to go cave exploring any time in the near future.

“I think we all decided to wait a while to go back,” he said.

“When I do, I plan to take a couple more flashlights, more batteries and bulbs and maybe a few extra people.”