[masraum]

Holy carp! emphasis added by me.

Turkish and international cave rescue experts were working Thursday to save an American speleologist trapped at a depth of more than 3,280 feet in a cave in southern Turkey after he became ill. Mark Dickey, 40, became sick during an international expedition in Morca cave in southern Turkey's Taurus Mountains, in the Mersin province, according to the European Cave Rescue Association. He has gastrointestinal bleeding and has been unable to leave the cave on his own, the association said on its website.

It described Dickey as "a highly trained caver and a cave rescuer himself" who is well known for his participation in many international expeditions. He is secretary of the association's medical committee.

Dickey was on an expedition mapping the 4,186-foot-deep Morca cave system for the Anatolian Speleology Group Association (ASPEG) before becoming sick, according to Yusuf Ogrenecek of the Speleological Federation of Turkey.

Turkish disaster relief agency AFAD and rescue team UMKE were working with Turkish and international cavers on a plan to hoist Dickey out of the cave system, the rescue association said.

Ogrenecek of the Speleological Federation of Turkey told The Associated Press that Dickey's condition had stabilized, and that he was in "good spirits."

"Mark's condition continues to improve," the federation tweeted. "Doctors will decide whether it is possible for him to leave without a stretcher."

Mark's condition has continued to improve, according to this evening's news,the bleeding has stopped and he is able to walk on his own.