Hermitage Caves, Bridgnorth

A 16-year-old Bridgnorth boy was killed and an 18-year-old woman seriously injured today when a cave roof collapsed on them during a camping trip in the town.

Aiden Brookes, of Paulbrook Road, was camping with friends in the town’s Hermitage Caves, off Lodge Lane, when the tragedy happened at 1.50am today.

An 18-year-old woman was also seriously injured and is still being treated in Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital today.

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The devastated family today said Aiden was an Oldbury Wells A-level student.

A statement released by the family said: “Aiden was a member of the training cadets in Bridgnorth and was planning on representing the UK at Disney World later this year.

“He was a member of Bridgnorth Rugby Academy and had played for the under-18s yesterday morning.

“The entire family are deeply distressed and wish to be left in peace to mourn.”

Aiden leaves behind his parents, Kirsty and Ashley, his two-year-old brother Kyron and his 10-day-old brother Bryce, along with two sets of grandparents.

Aiden was born in South Africa and moved to Britain when he was 10 years old.

The group of friends with whom Aiden was camping had lit a fire shortly before the cave collapsed.

His friends tried to save his life by following instructions from ambulance control operators as paramedics were sent to the scene.

But efforts to save him failed and Aiden was pronounced dead at Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital.

It is believed about 20 people, many of which were youngsters, were on the overnight camping trip. One of the group, who did not want to named, said the fire they lit grew very large. It is believed it started to unsettle some of the rocks.

One teenager said: “We talked about whether the cave was safe and we thought it would be because it had been there hundreds of years. We can’t believe this has happened.”

Richard Ewels, spokesman for Shropshire police division, said police believed the incident was a “tragic accident”.

Mr Ewels said the area had been sealed off and the Health and Safety Executive had been informed.

The Hermitage is a series of caves cut into the soft red sandstone that is found all around the town, while the roof of the caves are made of thick pebble beds made of natural concrete, conglomerate.

Paramedics tried to save Aiden on the way to hospital but he was certified dead on arrival.

A post mortem was expected to take place later today. Aiden’s body has not yet been formally identified by his family.

A spokesman for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said appliances from Bridgnorth and Tweedale and the rescue tender from Wellington were sent out after a report that a person was trapped.

The crews were stood down after being told a patient was on the way to hospital.

Murray MacGregor, West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman, said: “A teenage boy had suffered very serious injuries.

“999 call handlers provided basic life support information over the phone to the other people in the cave until the ambulance crew arrived.

“The ambulance staff then carried out advanced life support as the boy was taken on blue lights to Princess Royal Hospital.

“Sadly, despite the best efforts of ambulance and hospital staff, it was not possible to save him and he was confirmed dead shortly after arrival.”

He went on to confirm that the second victim of the cave collapse was also taken to the Princess Royal Hospital.

He said: “A girl, who is believed to be 18 and from the town, was also hurt in the incident.

“She suffered back neck and rib injuries. She was taken to the same hospital. Her condition is potentially serious but not life threatening.”

By Kirsty Smallman and Catherine Roche