2 Teen-Agers Trapped in Tunnel for 4 Hours

Two Simi Valley teen-agers were trapped for more than four hours early Saturday in a cave at Santa Susana Knolls near Simi Valley after one became stuck while crawling through a narrow passage, authorities said.

Dean Feldman, 16, got stuck in a tunnel while following Sara Morris, 15. Because Feldman was stuck, Morris was unable to return to the cave’s entrance, said Sgt. Will Howe of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.

Two other teen-agers who had been crawling behind Feldman left the cave and summoned authorities after trying for more than an hour to help their 6-foot-2, 160-pound friend squeeze through the passage, Howe said. Firefighters used an air chisel to widen the tunnel and free Feldman about 7:30 a.m., more than four hours after he became lodged there, Howe said. The teen-agers entered the cave during a hike, which began about 10:30 p.m. Friday, Howe said.