it started as an ordinary day of Adventure for five College friends exploring the scenic still housee cave in Alabama none of them had any experience with caving but the beauty of the area drew them in as they walked near the entrance of the cave one of the friends Curtis Mills ventured inside alone moments later something went horribly wrong a sudden sound echoed from deep within the cave and what happened next would change everything before we dive into the video I'd like to ask for your support by subscribing to our Channel currently only 8% of our viewers are subscribed but your subscription helps us create more content like this simply click the Subscribe button like this video and hit the Bell icon to stay updated on our latest uploads by doing so you'll also help YouTube recommend our content to a wider audience without further Ado let's jump into the video Stillhouse cave in Alabama is a natural treasure located in the northeastern part of the state a region known for its Rich cave systems Alabama is famous for its caves especially in the Northeast which is considered a quote unquote hot spot for caving in the United States the state's unique landscape with its beds of carbonate Rock provides the perfect conditions for caves to form over time this area is home to many caves but Stillhouse cave stands out as one of the most fascinating it offers a glimpse into the underground world and the geological history of the region making it an exciting destination for cave explorers and nature lovers alike the cave is located in a beautiful setting surrounded by Scenic natural features such as small streams steep slopes and wet weather Springs the surrounding area is part of the Duck River Watershed known for its Rich biodiversity and stunning landscape while exploring the Stillhouse cave area visitors can enjoy the peaceful sound of running water and the beauty of the nearby Stillhouse Hollow Falls which Cascades 75 ft down into a deep Hollow below the waterfall creates a picturesque scene that adds to the overall charm of the area inside Stillhouse cave the cool damp environment supports unique cave formations like stalagtites and stalagmites these formations have been created over thousands of years by the slow dripping of mineral Rich water the cave is also home to a variety of cave dwelling animals including bats insects and other small creatures adapted to life in the dark the cave provides a glimpse into the delicate ecosystem that exists under ground where many species rely on the Cave's constant temperature and humidity to survive exploring Stillhouse cave offers visitors the opportunity to experience Alabama's natural beauty from a different perspective the Cave's impressive geological formations combined with the Lush surrounding landscape make it a destination worth visiting for anyone interested in nature and Adventure whether you're an experienced caver or simply someone looking to enjoy a peaceful day in nature still house cave provides a unique and memorable experience in the heart of Alabama's Cave Country on May 4th 1985 a group of five college students visited their fellow student John Graham at his home near Stevenson Alabama like many young people they were full of energy and eager to explore the students had heard stories of a nearby natural wonder a large horseshoe shaped sinkhole with walls towering up to 50 ft High the sinkhole was a Scenic and popular spot with locals and a stream flowed over the high side of the sinkhole feeding into Stillhouse cave none of the students were experienced cavers and none of them had any caving equipment but that didn't dampen their sense of adventure they were just excited to spend the day Outdoors discovering the natural beauty of the area the cave wasn't far from John Graham's house only about a/4 mile walk through the woods when they got there the group excitedly talked about what they could see now even though none of them had ever been inside still house cave they had heard that was a relatively easy cave to explore the Cave's walk-in entrance was wide and welcoming 15 ft across and 10 ft High to them it didn't seem like the kind of place that would pose any danger little did they know the cave concealed a hidden par just out of sight the students arrived at the sinkhole at around 5:15 p. m. and scattered around the Falls Taking in the stunning scenery the air was cool and fresh and the sound of the cascading water echoed through the sinkhole creating a peaceful atmosphere one of the students Curtis Mills who was in his early 20s excused himself saying that he needed to use the bathroom well without giving it much thought he walked down the side of the sinkhole and made his way into Stillhouse cave his friends didn't think much of it at first as they were all busy enjoying the area in their own ways a few minutes later John Graham was standing near the entrance to the cave when he heard an unsettling sound a loud slap coming from inside the cave concerned he called out to Curtis but there was no response his voice echoed back at him from the Cave's walls now at first Graham thought that Curtis might be playing a prank on them trying to spook them by staying silent but after calling a few more times and still getting no reply his concern grew something didn't feel right what none of the students realized was that just inside the entrance of still housee Cave the Cave floor took a dangerous turn the entrance may have been easy to walk into but a short way inside the path dropped off suddenly into a 30ft freefall pit the Cave's smooth streamed floor might have looked inviting but it hid this deadly drop off from view especially as the natural light outside began to fade with the late afternoon realizing that something might be seriously wrong Graham ran back to the house with one of his companions to grab a flashlight when they returned and shown the light into the cave their worst fears were realized Curtis Mills was lying at the bottom of the pit motionless and soaked by the spray of the waterfall he was unconscious and it was clear that he had suffered a serious fall Graham's heart pounded as he raced back to the house to call for help within minutes the Stevenson police were alerted and soon a full-scale rescue operation was underway several ambulances arrived on the scene along with officers from different law enforcement agencies members of the Scottsboro fire department and the highly trained Sand Mountain Rescue Team they knew that time was of the essence Curtis was lying at the bottom of the pit exposed to cold water and his condition was rapidly deteriorating the first paramedic reached Curtis at 710 p.
m. nearly 2 hours after the initial accident by this point Curtis was severely hypothermic his body temperature had dropped dangerously low and he was unconscious teetering on the edge between life and death the paramedic quickly assessed his injuries Curtis had suffered a fractured skull and an injured hand during the fall but the most immediate threat to his life was the cold his body temperature had plummeted to 80° Fahrenheit well below the normal 98. 6 de and if they didn't act fast he wouldn't survive much longer the rescue team worked quickly and efficiently they carefully evacuated Curtis from the bottom of the pit and transported him to the waiting helicopter by the time the helicopter lifted off it was already getting dark and the team knew that the Clock Was ticking the helicopter flew Curtis to a hospital in Huntsville where he arrived at 9:02 p.
m.
