The 52-year-old has “safely arrived at the hospital,” said the head of the mountain rescue service, Norbert Heiland after jubilant rescuers hoisted Westhauser to safety on Thursday after an “incredible” recovery effort by over 700 emergency personnel.

Johann Westhauser, 52, had suffered serious head injuries in a rockfall on June 8th about 1,000 metres (3,300 feet) below ground in the labyrinth-like Riesending cave complex, Germany’s deepest and longest.