Derbyshire Cave Rescue Organisation were called to Giants Hole by police at 9pm on Sunday after a group of five cavers ran into difficulties on the last leg of their trip.

While three climbed to safety, two marooned men had to be rescued in a two-hour operation involving 27 caving experts from across the High Peak.

Chairman of the rescue organisation Bill Whitehouse said: "Accidents are infrequent, but they do happen. "Unfortunately the man who died was already unconscious when the team reached him."

He said it would take a fit caver just 15 minutes to climb to the surface from the spot where they were found at the bottom of a vertical passage called Garland's Pot.

"One got out with some help, but the other had to be put on a stretcher. Then it was a two-hour operation to get him out, because caves don't bend the way you want them to," he said.

The casualty, a 50-year-old man from Rotherham, died soon after arrival at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport.

Mr Whitehouse said: "Caving is the opposite of mountain climbing. All the down hill is first, then the really tough part is the climb at the end. People tend to run out of steam before they meet the final obstacle. These men were too tired and too cold to get out."

The group had gone underground at 11.15am to do a popular round trip at Giants Hole, Peaks Hill Farm near Perryfoot. The route, which normally takes a couple of hours, follows an underground stream along a narrow canyon called the Crabwalk, which must be tackled sideways. Garland's Pot links the Crabwalk to a network of passages stretching for two miles over several different levels.

Mr Whitehouse, who has 45 years' caving experience, said: "They weren't doing anything particularly dangerous. It was nothing that other cavers wouldn't do. Accidents do happen, but you are more likely to be killed in a car accident on the way to a cave than you are underground."

* Spokesperson for Derbyshire Caving Association, Jenny Potts said: "Giants Hole isn't a cave you would take inexperienced cavers down, especially when there has been heavy rain."

She said the rescue team was a vital part of the caving community, supported by enthusiasts with their own time and money.

Derbyshire's Cave Rescue Organisation is funded by donations. It has 140 volunteer members located across the High Peak.