This was a tragedy. They actually came close to rescuing him, but he ended up being wedged in deeper, and a rescuer nearly perished as well. Read the entire story. It is truly sad. They couldn't even retrieve his body and the shaft was sealed. He did get to speak with his wife before he died.
I went on a hike in the Blue Mountains and walked through caves. It was eerie and felt like being in another world. There was little danger and I can remember how it felt still. I cannot imagine spelunking.