SPECIALIST rescue services plucked an injured man out of Pridhamsleigh Cavern, near Buckfastleigh, on Tuesday.,A Plymouth teacher, leading a party of eight children, was stretchered to the surface after falling down a 5ft drop inside the caves.,The alarm was raised by the instructor of another party of cavers shortly after 1pm on Tuesday.,Up to 35 specialised cave rescuers were mobilised, including 17 firemen from Buckfastleigh, Ashburton and Torquay and the Special Rescue Team from Camel's Head. ,Devon Cave Rescue sent up to 18 rescuers to assist. Police and paramedics also attended.,The rescuers took three hours to bring the casualty to the surface due to the constricted nature of the caves, which have a series of vertical drops and tight passages. In normal circumstances, it would take only half-an-hour to cover that distance. ,One of the paramedics, himself a member of the cave rescue team, joined the underground team and gave pain relief before the man was evacuated. The man was taken to Derriford Hospital suffering from knee injuries.,John Whiteley, rescue controller for Devon Cave Rescue Association, said the operation had gone well.,'It was a successful outcome, a good opportunity for joint working between a number of emergency services.',By the time rescuers arrived, all the children and members of the second party had left the caves. The instructor of the other party, who raised the alarm, acted as a guide. A teaching assistant remained below with the injured man.,'A teaching assistant from the school stayed with him for two plus hours, sitting with him and talking to him. She was absolutely excellent,' Mr Whiteley said.