Friends tell of cave horror

Friends of a Shropshire teenager today told how they fought to save his life after the roof of a cave collapsed on him during a tragic camping trip.

Philip West told an inquest he heard a loud bang before boulders started falling from the roof of the cave crushing 16-year-old Aiden Brookes as he slept by a fire.

Aiden, of Paulbrook Road, Bridgnorth, was one of a group of teenagers camping at the town's Hermitage Caves in April this year.

At the inquest, which was being held at Westgate in Bridgnorth today, Mr West said: "There was a loud bang. I heard Jessica Wright, who was with us, scream and she suddenly pitched forward after being hit by some of the rock.

"I saw large chunks of rock separate themselves from the roof and the wall of the cave. I saw a very large chunk land on Aiden which broke on top of him."

Brave

He said some of them helped Jessica while others moved Aiden out of the caves.

The inquest heard how another teenager, Zak Griffiths, attempted to revive Aiden.

"I then checked to see if there was a pulse but I could not find anything,"said Mr West.

Constable Peter Nock said the scene was chaotic when he arrived at the caves off Lodge Lane. He said: "There was a lot of panic with people running around."

However, he paid tribute to Mr Griffiths and Mr West who had attempted to resuscitate Aiden. He added: "Everyone who helped was very brave. The overhang of the cave could have collapsed even further so to stay in the area was very brave."

The inquest was told Aiden was taken to Telford's Princess Royal Hospital but was confirmed dead shortly after arrival.

Dr Mark Otter, consultant pathologist, said Aiden had suffered severe crush injuries to his lower abdomen and pelvis. He said the crush injuries caused a cardiac arrest.

The inquest continues.

By Brett Gibbons