A researcher was rescued after being struck by falling rock deep inside one of Texas’ deepest caves Saturday evening in West Texas, triggering a complex overnight recovery effort.
Officials say the incident happened around 6 p.m. during a descent when a rock broke loose and hit a female researcher in the head more than 500 feet underground. Because of the cave’s depth and terrain, the team was unable to call for help until about 9 p.m., delaying the emergency response.
Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens and local first responders coordinated the rescue, navigating narrow passages and vertical drops to reach the injured researcher. Crews then worked carefully to stabilize and lift her out of the cave, a process that required specialized rope systems and multiple teams rotating through the confined space.
Authorities said the cave’s depth and isolation significantly complicated the operation. Emergency personnel had to carry equipment by hand and move slowly to avoid additional rockfall or injury. The recovery effort stretched for hours as rescuers brought the researcher to the surface and transferred her for medical care. Officials have not released her condition but confirmed she was conscious during portions of the rescue.
Cave rescues are among the most technically challenging emergency operations in Texas because they combine wilderness rescue, climbing and confined-space response. Even minor injuries underground can become life-threatening due to the time required to reach the surface.
No other injuries were reported among the research team or rescue crews.
The cave is considered one of the deepest known in the state, and authorities say trained teams and safety protocols were already in place, which helped coordinate the response once contact was established.
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