A cave researcher is close to seeing the light of day again after suffering head injuries in an accident deep underground in Germany nearly two weeks ago.

Germany's mountain rescue service said its team resumed work this morning to bring Johann Westhauser the final 590ft to the surface.

The going has been slow as rescuers have had to haul Mr Westhauser by hand through narrow winding passages.

He was injured on June 8 while nearly 3,280ft underground in the Riesending cave system in the Alps near the Austrian border.

A medical station has been set up at the mouth of the cave so Mr Westhauser can be examined as soon as he is free.

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