SAN ANTONIO – Updated at 11:58 p.m.:
After more than nine hours of trying to get an 18-year-old Lee High School student out of Robber Baron Cave, fire crews have successfully completed their mission.
The student was on a class field trip at the cave on 155 Camellia Way when she got stuck around 1:40 p.m. in an area called the “Hole in the Floor.”
San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood said around 5 p.m. that the student would be out about two hours later, but it became a lot more challenging for crews to take the student out as the day progressed.
"Our big challenge right now is to keep her warm. The temperature has dropped down there, so when you're trapped in a situation like this, you lose heat," Hood said around 5 p.m. "We're giving her food, keeping her carb levels up, keep her heated, so she's able to warm herself."
Hood said emergency medical services technicians initiated an IV to keep the student hydrated throughout the day.
"She's conscious. She's alert, in good spirits," SAFD Chief Charles Hood said about the student's condition during the 5 p.m. media briefing.
Later on in the night, a firefighter told KSAT that the focus had changed from chiseling the rock around the teen to hauling in wood to build a structure to help support the girl and keep her from sliding down further.
Officials said the cave was not in danger of collapsing and its integrity had not been compromised by the activity.
The teen had been in the same position for more than nine hours and her legs had fallen asleep. The San Antonio Fire Department provided extra comfort to make sure the teen remained unharmed.
The San Antonio Fire Department called for additional resources to help cover the city in case any fires were called.
The girl will be taken to the San Antonio Military Medical Center for an evaluation.
"I didn't want to die in there" rescued girl tells family after being removed from Robber Baron cave.
— Deven Clarke (@DevenClarke) March 9, 2018
Updated at 9:45 p.m.:
A firefighter said the focus has changed from chiseling the rock around the teen to hauling in wood to build a structure to help support the girl and keep her from sliding.
The teen has been in the same position for more than eight hours and her legs have fallen asleep. However, she remains unharmed.
Officials say the cave is not in danger of collapsing and its integrity has not been compromised by the activity.
The San Antonio Fire Department continues to monitor the girl's vitals and making sure she is OK. They have provided extra comfort to make sure she remains unharmed.
The San Antonio Fire Department has called for additional resources.
"She is conscious. She is alert. She is a trooper," SAFD Chief Charles Hood said.
Hood said there is no timeline for how long it will take to get the girl out of the cave.
The girl will be taken to the San Antonio Military Medical Center once they take her out of the cave so she can get evaluated.
Hear what Hood had to say in the Facebook Live below:
Fire Chief Charles Hood gives an update on the Lee High School student stuck in a cave. STORY >>> https://www.ksat.com/news/lee-high-school-student-falls-350-feet-into-cave
Posted by KSAT 12 & KSAT.com on Thursday, March 8, 2018
Updated at 5:20 p.m.:
"She's conscious. She's alert, in good spirits," SAFD Chief Charles Hood said about the student's condition during a 5 p.m. media briefing.
Hood said the student is stuck in a pigtail of rock that's preventing crews from getting her out quickly.
He said an air chisel will be taken into the cave to cut rock that's surrounding the student.
Hood said EMS technicians initiated an IV to keep the student hydrated.
"Our big challenge right now is to keep her warm. The temperature has dropped down there, so when you're trapped in a situation like this, you lose heat," he said. "We're giving her food, keeping her carb levels up, keep her heated, so she's able to warm herself."
Video: Chief Hood gives update on cave rescue attempt
Hood said there is plenty of quality air in the cave area, which is being ventilated.
The student was in a field trip with a class when she got stuck around 1:40 p.m. in an area called the "Hole In The Floor."
Hood admitted that it may not be until 7 p.m. until the student is freed.
He said crews are familiar with the cave since they train there often.
Refresh this page for updates on this developing story.
Robber-Baron-Cave-Map-2012.pdf by David Ibanez on Scribd
Original story:
A Lee High School student is stuck in a cave Thursday afternoon, San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood said.
Rescue crews are trying to get the 18-year-old female student out of Robber Baron Cave at 155 Camellia Way.
Hood said it's going to take some time to get the student out of the cave.
Refresh this page for updates and watch KSAT 12 News at 5 and 6 O'clock for live reports.