Posted on 01/05/2008 11:01:32 AM PST by cll
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A woman from California died after being hit by a falling rock Saturday while visiting a vast cave system in northwestern Puerto Rico, authorities said. Socorro Elaine Smith, 45, was struck while waiting with her husband to board a trolley that runs through the Camuy caves, authorities said. Information on her hometown was not immediately available. No one else was injured, but the Rio Camuy Cave Park was evacuated, Puerto Rican police spokeswoman Marilyn Calo said. The caves are one of the biggest cave systems in the world and a major tourist attraction on the U.S. territory.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
how sad....
Puerto Rico is beautiful, btw.
There are only two other places in the world where you will find a cave system as massive or dramatic as the Río Camuy Cave Park – and neither of them has a tropical underground river running through it! We can arrange simple walking tours or for the extreme explorer, Rappelling through the belly of the caves.
Guaranteed. Bring A Lot of Film or Memory Disks....
Only a small part of the complex is open to the public, three crater-like sinkholes and two caves. But what a spectacular part it is! Visitors ride a trolley that descends into a sinkhole lined with dense tropical vegetation while your guide describes the sights. After a walk across ramps and bridges and through the dramatically illuminated, 170-foot high Cueva Clara, lined with beautiful tropical vegetation. Another tram shuttles you to a platform overlooking the 400 foot deep Tres Pueblos Sinkhole. The walls are covered with petroglyphs carved by the ancient Tainos.
Wow! I had no idea.
Working link http://www.whattodoinpr.com/camuy.html
Just in case, I have no affiliation with the source of the pictures and description. I was just looking for some quick pics of the site.
I went there a long time ago, I’m shocked something like that could happen there.
They may be handing out hard hats to future tourists.
One year Bright Moon, Wolf Claw, Running Waters and Falling Rock were cheered as they left the camp for their great adventure.
The Chief’s son Falling Rock never returned and after a great search, his heart broken father issued a decree.... “send out the word all across the land my son Falling Rock is missing”.
To this day, all across America we still look and on roads everywhere we a reminded “ Look out for falling rock”
I’d like to go caving there but probably won’t make it to Puerto Rico.
BTW, cavers rescue spelunkers.
LOL!
AHHHHHHH!!!!!!
OHMYGOD!!!!
My friends from Virginia were just there yesterday — Friday! They are visiting the Island for the holidays... one of my friends called me at 8:15 a.m., telling me that they were on their way to the Camuy caves!
*DIALING HER CELL PHONE RIGHT NOW*
Do you know if Ponce still has the red Firestation? I spent a month and a half there way back and toured the whole island.
The people were clean and you could eat food from any street vendor even then.
.
Bump
Yes, the red and black fire station is still there.
Thank you. When I was there they had a miniature replica of it inside - very detailed.
Not a bad idea. My wife and I visited these caves in Barbados during our honeymoon and were required to wear hard hats.
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