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Three explorers were brought to safety after a subterranean mission extending over 30 hours throughout "dreadful circumstances" during the severe weather system.

The veteran spelunkers became trapped in the challenging cave system, close to Grassington.

Emergency services were alerted around 10 PM that evening when they failed to return with a family member called emergency services.

Volunteer groups confirmed more than 100 team members participated in the challenging operation, that faced obstacles because of worsening weather, flooding, challenging topography along with prolonged time underground.

When rescuers located the cavers during the night that Friday, increasing floodwaters indicated the most direct path was impassable, requiring everyone involved to find alternative routes.

Rescue team leader described that if they'd located the cavers a bit earlier, they all could have been home "in time for breakfast".

"Unfortunately the storm took an unexpected turn for us," he stated.

"The immediate danger is rising waters and, potentially in particular sections within the passage, submersion.

"Should flooding have worsened in those areas, the situation would have become exceptionally risky."

Nearby rescue organizations joined the effort, including various trained emergency groups.

Subterranean crews worked in relays to lead the fatigued spelunkers to the surface, while external personnel endured "dreadful conditions to maintain communication while also handle supplies.

At a critical moment, rescue personnel constructed a barrier using plastic sheeting to carry swelling floodwaters around the cave entrance.

The first missing caver was rescued at 15:30 BST Friday afternoon, then the next at 02:30 on Saturday and the last explorer subsequently.

Each explorer were hurt however operational commander stated they were exhausted due to being exposed and damp for 42 hours.

"Requires determined people to withstand that," he said.

The team concluded operations in the morning.

While severe weather was predicted to take effect from Friday afternoon, team leaders said the exploration planned by the explorers was "perfectly reasonable" considering their skill level and the weather conditions initially.

Nevertheless, significant precipitation begun prematurely while also with greater force than predicted.

The cavers had shared important specifics about their planned path – beginning their journey toward their endpoint – before setting off, and team leaders said that information "made the difference".

"Without that phone call from the relative, nobody would have known the explorers were missing before someone noticed automobiles stationed at the location for a couple of days," he continued.