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A 37-year-old Tampa man and his two sons were trapped for days in a West Virginia cave

Speaking to PEOPLE in 1990, the trio explained how a caving trip turned into a harrowing ordeal

"We were just so tired, so exhausted," Gary Lutes said. "We felt like we'd fought as long as we could and we were ready to rest"

A 37-year-old Tampa man and his two sons experienced a harrowing ordeal when they found themselves trapped for days in a West Virginia cave, surrounded by darkness and tormented by thirst and hunger.

Gary Lutes, a single father whose wife had died of breast cancer four years prior, had set out on a hike with his boys (Gary Jr., known as "Buddy," 13, and Tim, 9) in 1990. A 20-year caving veteran, he was experienced at traversing difficult terrain and had previously e

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