Experts planning rescue of injured Spanish speleologist trapped 7 days in Peruvian cave

In this Tuesday Sept. 23, 2014 photo released by the Chachapoyas Territory Police, a rescue worker stands outside the Inti Machay cave where Spanish citizen Cecilio Lopez Tercero is trapped in north-western Peru. Rescuers are trying to save the injured speleologist who has been trapped for seven days about 400 meters (1,300 feet) underground in a cave in Peru's remote Amazon region. (AP Photo/Chachapoyas Territory Police) (The Associated Press)

In this Tuesday Sept. 23, 2014 photo released by the Chachapoyas Territory Police, rescue workers gather outside the Inti Machay cave where Spanish citizen Cecilio Lopez Tercero is trapped in north-western Peru. The injured Spanish speleologist has been trapped for seven days about 400 meters (1,300 feet) underground in a cave in Peru's remote Amazon region. Rescuers say they have been getting food and water to Lopez, but his extraction has been made difficult by the remoteness of the cave and the fact that the cavern is narrow at places with ups and downs instead of a vertical drop. (AP Photo/Chachapoyas Territory Police) (The Associated Press)

LIMA, Peru – Rescuers in Peru are trying to save an injured Spanish speleologist who has been trapped for seven days about 400 meters (1,300 feet) underground in a cave in the country's remote Amazon region.

Cecilio Lopez was hurt when he fell 5 meters (16 feet) inside the Inti Machay cave in a remote ravine in Leimebamba district, 605 kilometers (376 miles) northeast of the capital, Lima.

Rescue coordinator James Apaestegui said Thursday that a doctor had reached Lopez and found the cave explorer had two damaged lumbar vertebrae that limit his movement.

Apaestegui says that "Lopez is lying face up. He can move laterally but he cannot stand up."

Rescuers say they have been getting food and water to Lopez. Among the rescuers are 33 foreign spelunkers, including 13 Spaniards and 10 Mexicans.