An American researcher has been rescued from a deep Turkish cave more than a week after falling ill from stomach bleeding.

Experienced caver Mark Dickey, 40, was with an expedition team 3,000ft deep into the Morca Cave in the Taurus Mountains of southern Turkey when he suffered gastrointestinal bleeding that left him too weak to ascend by himself on August 31.

Another team member climed back to the surface to alert authorities on September 2, sparking an intense international effort involving more than 180 people from eight different countries to rescue the American.

The dramatic rescue ended successfully today, September 12, at 12:37 am local time, after rescue crew winched Mark to safety out of the cave's last exit. He was medevaced in a stable condition to a hospital at 1:50 am, the Turkish Caving Federation said.

Mark told reporters: 'It is amazing to be above ground again. I was underground far longer than ever expected.'

His parents added in a statement: 'The fact that our son, Mark Dickey, has been moved out of Morca Cave in stable condition is indescribably relieving and fills us with incredible joy. It is, we know, an event that all involved in the extensive rescue effort worked so significantly hard for.'

The researcher was reported to have been in a 'life-threatening condition' when rescuers initially found him. He was given a blood transfusion and medication while underground, with the evacuation proceeding as his health improved, the Hungarian Cave Rescue Service said.

Rescuers said the narrow passageways and steep vertical sections of the cave had posed challenges during the operation.

The Morca Cave is one of the deepest in Turkey, with a depth of 4,186 feet.

The European Cave Rescue Association (ECRA) said Mark Dickey was a well-known and experienced cave explorer who has participated in numerous expeditions around the world. He is also a member of ECRA's medical committee.