Crews chisel away rock to free man trapped in Iowa cave

MAQUOKETA, Iowa – Rescue crews are chiselling away rock to free a man trapped in a cave at an Iowa state park.

Department of Natural Resources spokesman Kevin Baskins says crews are asking the man to wiggle to see if he can get free as they widen a narrow part of the cave at Maquoketa (mah-KOH’-kah-duh) Caves State Park.

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Baskins says the man is tired but otherwise OK.

Park Ranger Scot Dykstra says visitors discovered two people lodged in the cave about 8 p.m. Friday and alerted park staff. It’s unclear how long the couple had been there.

The woman was freed about 1 a.m. Saturday and treated for minor injuries.

The park features several caves visitors can explore on their own. Baskins says he’s not sure whether the man was experienced in cave exploration.