All 19 people who were trapped in a Kentucky cave by rising water from heavy rains have escaped safely.

Members of two tour groups spent several hours in Hidden River Cave in south-central Kentucky, and two police officers who tried to rescue them were also stranded at one point.

But Hart County emergency management director Kerry McDaniel said the group of Clemson University students were able to walk out of the cave without assistance.

He said there is only one way in and out of the cave.

A dive team and other rescue groups were sent to the scene.

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