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Three explorers were brought to safety following a cave rescue extending over 30 hours during "appalling conditions" amid Storm Amy.

The experienced cavers were stranded inside the demanding Dowber Gill Passage, near North Yorkshire.

The alarm was raised at 22:00 BST that evening as they didn't come back and one of their wives contacted authorities.

Rescue organizations reported more than 100 volunteers were involved throughout the "long and difficult" rescue, which was hampered by deteriorating conditions, rising waters, challenging topography along with long hours underground.

By the time the men were found during the night on Friday, swelling water conditions signified the easiest exit route became blocked, forcing both teams to find alternative routes.

Operation commander described that if they'd located the men slightly sooner, everyone might have made it back for morning meal.

"Regrettably conditions had a different plan in store," he stated.

"The primary risk was flooding and, potentially in certain parts underground, being overwhelmed by water.

"Should flooding have worsened in those areas, conditions would have turned exceedingly dangerous."

Adjacent response units provided support, such as several specialist rescue organizations.

Cave rescue personnel rotated continuously to guide the tired explorers back, whereas external personnel endured "appalling" conditions to keep contact while also handle supplies.

During the operation, team members built a diversion employing plastic sheeting to divert increasing waters past the access point.

The first missing caver emerged safely at 15:30 BST that Friday, followed by another around 2:30 AM Saturday morning and the last explorer two hours later.

None of them were hurt though the rescue leader stated they were exhausted following exposed and damp for 42 hours.

"Needs determined people to endure that," he noted.

Rescue personnel wrapped up the mission at 07:45.

While the storm was predicted to impact from Friday afternoon, team leaders said the expedition organized by the explorers proved "perfectly reasonable" considering their skill level plus the weather conditions initially.

Nevertheless, significant precipitation begun prematurely plus with greater force than predicted.

The cavers provided crucial information regarding their itinerary – from Providence Pot to Dow Cave – ahead of their expedition, with rescue coordinators stated this "saved the day".

"Without that notification from the relative, it would have taken longer to notice the cavers hadn't returned before someone noticed vehicles left at the location for several days," he continued.