It became one of the largest cave rescues in history, involving more than 700 people for 11 days and an estimated cost of close to €1 million.

As there is no radio or cell phone reception inside, while one of the teammates stayed with Westhauser, the second person started his 10 hour ascent towards the entrance, a distance of around 6 km (3.72 miles).

A cave-link system was established to send and receive basic communication signals through solid rock, allowing the exchange of text messages between the cave entrance and the scene of the accident.

Further mountain rescue teams from Germany and Austria reached the scene, supported by State and Federal Police helicopters.

[4] A minor traumatic brain injury was diagnosed and together with a second physician arriving later at night, it was decided that Westhauser was fit to be transported.

In August 2015 the interior ministry of Bavaria reported that the costs were estimated around 960,000 Euros, while the victim himself would be "taking responsibility for a substantial amount".