After Cave Escape, Operator Reviews Safety

One day after 19 people trudged through neck-deep water to escape a flooded Kentucky cave, the cave's operator says he's analyzing the incident for possible safety lessons.

David Foster is executive director of the American Cave Museum, which runs the Hidden River Cave. He said he had no way to reach the group of students spelunking a mile deep in the caverns Thursday afternoon to warn them that the water was rising and threatening to block their only exit.

All got out safely after a harrowing rescue.

Now Foster said he's looking into installing a communication system that would let guides contact employees above ground, who could alert them to ominous forecasts.

Mammoth Cave National Park nearby has phone system along the pathways so guides are never far from a phone.