{'byline': 'by Joe Kelley, Russell Scott', 'hosts': '', 'byline_sources': 'NewsRadio 1080 KRLD', 'audience_id': '', 'original_station': [{'station': 'krld', 'path': 'krld/news/state/researcher-rescued-after-injury-deep-inside-west-texas-cave'}], 'syndicated_items': '', 'original_item': {'_index': 'published-content_v44', '_type': '_doc', '_score': None, '_source': {'date': '2026-02-16T12:50:37.260Z', 'lead': [{'data': {'alt': '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.', 'url': 'https://radioimg.audacy.com/aiu-media/63328341512358926419848034671240451148223866n-1915aae9-f053-4903-b9e9-46b68666783f.jpg', 'width': 1152, 'credit': 'Texas Game Wardens', 'height': 1440, 'caption': '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.', '_version': 1, 'imageLink': None, 'rendition': None, 'sizeInBytes': '202265', 'borderToggle': None, 'componentVariation': 'image'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/image/instances/cmlp65rx1002i357xjhkm9e31@published'}], 'slug': 'researcher-rescued-after-injury-deep-inside-west-texas-cave', 'tags': [], 'feeds': {'msn': True, 'rss': True, 'postup': True, 'facebook': True, 'newsfeed': True, 'sitemaps': True, 'frequency': True, 'smartNews': True, 'apple-news': False, 'smart-news': True, 'most-popular': True, 'reversechron': True, 'google-news-feed': True}, 'hosts': [], 'adTags': {'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/ad-tags/instances/cmlp620qn000t01v9lbupqxdv@published'}, 'byline': [{'names': [{'name': 'Joe Kelley', 'text': 'Joe Kelley', 'slug': 'joe-kelley'}, {'name': 'Russell Scott', 'text': 'Russell Scott', 'slug': 'russell-scott'}], 'sources': [{'text': 'NewsRadio 1080 KRLD'}], 'hosts': [], 'prefix': 'by'}], 'teaser': 'Researcher rescued after injury deep inside West Texas cave', 'authors': ['Joe Kelley', 'Russell Scott'], 'content': [{'data': {'text': 'A researcher <a href="https://www.kten.com/news/state/researcher-rescued-from-deep-texas-cave-after-overnight-operation/article_1c91fdac-6a77-5b75-ae9d-06fffb0349bc.html">was rescued after being struck by falling rock deep inside one of Texas’ deepest caves Saturday </a>evening in West Texas, triggering a complex overnight recovery effort.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmlp620qn000x01v9v48ngxa6@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<iframe width="100%" height="165px" frameborder="0" src="https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?&amp;feed-link=https%3A%2F%2Frss.amperwave.net%2Fv2%2Fepisode%2F7978396_2026-02-16-163536&amp;withPlaylist=false&amp;theme=blurred&amp;playerDisplay-logoType=Audacy" allow="clipboard-write"></iframe>', 'isIframe': True, 'componentVariation': 'html-embed', 'fbInstantArticleHtml': '<iframe width="100%" height="165px" frameborder="0" src="https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?&amp;feed-link=https%3A%2F%2Frss.amperwave.net%2Fv2%2Fepisode%2F7978396_2026-02-16-163536&amp;withPlaylist=false&amp;theme=blurred&amp;playerDisplay-logoType=Audacy" allow="clipboard-write"></iframe>'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/html-embed/instances/cmlpe67c4001i357vqjqzl7q4@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Officials say <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/researcher-rescued-one-texas-deepest-224045867.html">the incident happened around 6 p.m.</a> when a rock broke loose and hit a 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.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmlpdpxvu001d357v5e4qzumc@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'In an interview with KRLD’s Russell Scott, <strong>Terrell County Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland</strong> detailed the complex operation inside <strong>Sorcerer’s Cave</strong>, the deepest known cave in Texas.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmlp62pbh001b357x3mf0ku68@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'A specialized research team was exploring the cave’s subterranean river system. The Sheriff says a rock became dislodged, striking a <strong>34-year-old female researcher</strong> in the head. The impact was powerful enough to crack her safety helmet and caused an additional shoulder injury.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmlpdf75b000c357vsm6rjgpj@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'A massive &quot;all-hands&quot; rescue effort was launched, including:', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmlpdiyoi000v357vxdsxsdl7@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTexasGameWardens%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02nJ15dE3jNWQZZmXyhd1is6CnLnjvkiF4HjXeLAjn8xyBpPHQ9YxyWEe4hBejnTJwl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="767" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe>', 'isIframe': True, 'componentVariation': 'html-embed', 'fbInstantArticleHtml': '<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTexasGameWardens%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02nJ15dE3jNWQZZmXyhd1is6CnLnjvkiF4HjXeLAjn8xyBpPHQ9YxyWEe4hBejnTJwl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="767" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe>'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/html-embed/instances/cmlp64oad0028357xux4e13bl@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<strong>Terrell County Sheriff’s Office</strong>', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmlpdivwy000j357vfb53bd8h@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<strong>Texas Game Wardens</strong> (from Fort Stockton and beyond)', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmlpdivwy000k357vyi06lkob@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<strong>U.S. Border Patrol’s BORSTAR team</strong> (Search, Trauma, and Rescue)', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmlpdivwy000l357vmrw0yn17@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<strong>Fire Departments</strong> from Sanderson and Fort Stockton', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmlpdivwy000m357vq66hzv2y@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Authorities said <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/researcher-rescued-one-texas-deepest-224045867.html">the cave’s depth and isolation significantly complicated the operation</a>. 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 around 5:30am.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmlpdkwj80013357vgjgm46ov@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'The researcher remained conscious throughout the ordeal and was airlifted by <strong>CareFlite</strong> to a hospital in Odessa for treatment. While her injuries were serious, Sheriff Cleveland indicated they are not believed to be life-threatening.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmlpdivwy000o357vevgtphar@published'}, {'data': {'text': '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.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmlp62pfa001d357xsz58enqd@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'No other injuries were reported among the research team or rescue crews.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmlp62ph1001e357xzukox172@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<a href="https://go.audacy.com/krld/listen">LISTEN</a>\xa0on the Audacy App<br />Tell your Smart Speaker to &quot;PLAY 1080 KRLD&quot;<br /><a href="https://www.audacy.com/newsletter/subscribe">Sign Up</a>\xa0to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news<br />Follow us on\xa0<a href="https://www.facebook.com/KRLDNews/">Facebook</a>\xa0|\xa0<a href="https://twitter.com/KRLD">Twitter</a>\xa0|\xa0<a href="https://www.instagram.com/krldnews/">Instagram</a>\xa0|\xa0<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX1Qei3Ev-DLiUujxT2A__Q">YouTube</a>', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmlp63idq001o357xh0thch2f@published'}], 'feedImg': {'data': {'alt': '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.', 'url': 'https://radioimg.audacy.com/aiu-media/63328341512358926419848034671240451148223866n-1915aae9-f053-4903-b9e9-46b68666783f.jpg', 'width': 1152, 'credit': 'Texas Game Wardens', 'height': 1440, 'caption': '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.', '_version': 1, 'mimeType': 'image/jpeg', 'imageLink': None, 'rendition': None, 'sizeInBytes': '202265', 'borderToggle': None, 'componentVariation': 'image'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/feed-image/instances/cmlp620qn000u01v9h9ewwz9r@published'}, 'sources': [{'text': 'NewsRadio 1080 KRLD'}], '_version': 24, 'featured': False, 'headline': 'Researcher rescued after injury deep inside West Texas cave', 'msnTitle': 'Researcher rescued after injury deep inside West Texas cave', 'textTags': [], '_msnTitle': {'shouldOverride': False}, 'apContent': None, 'isOpinion': False, 'pageTitle': 'Researcher rescued after injury deep inside West Texas cave', 'sideShare': {'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/share/instances/cmlp620qn000v01v97m36y7vb@published'}, 'feedImgUrl': 'https://radioimg.audacy.com/aiu-media/63328341512358926419848034671240451148223866n-1915aae9-f053-4903-b9e9-46b68666783f.jpg', 'feedLayout': 'small', 'showSocial': True, 'stationURL': 'https://www.audacy.com/krld', 'breadcrumbs': [{'hidden': False, 'text': 'NewsRadio 1080 KRLD', 'url': '//www.audacy.com/krld'}, {'hidden': False, 'text': 'News', 'url': '//www.audacy.com/krld/news'}, {'hidden': False, 'text': 'State', 'url': '//www.audacy.com/krld/news/state'}], 'contentType': 'article', 'seoHeadline': 'Researcher rescued after injury deep inside West Texas cave', 'stationName': 'NewsRadio 1080 KRLD', 'stationSlug': 'krld', 'dateModified': '2026-02-16T16:31:49.604Z', 'featuredNews': True, 'sectionFront': 'news', 'fullWidthLead': False, 'shortHeadline': 'Researcher rescued after injury deep inside West Texas cave', 'syndicatedUrl': None, 'unityPageType': 'article', 'editorialFeeds': None, 'featuredSports': False, 'msnTitleLength': 59, 'seoDescription': '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.', 'stationLogoUrl': 'https://radioimg.audacy.com/aud-opsconsole-media-images-prod-prod/logos/KRLDAM.jpg', 'isContentFromAP': False, 'noIndexNoFollow': False, 'pageDescription': '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.', 'primaryHeadline': 'Researcher rescued after injury deep inside West Texas cave', 'stationCallsign': 'KRLDAM', 'stationTimezone': 'US/Central', 'genreSyndication': None, 'socialDescription': 'Researcher rescued after injury deep inside West Texas cave', 'syndicationStatus': 'original', 'componentVariation': 'article', 'stationSyndication': [], 'hasSecondaryBylines': False, 'corporateSyndication': None, 'rollingStandoutCount': 0, 'secondarySectionFront': 'state', 'contentPageSponsorLogo': {'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/google-ad-manager/instances/cmlp620qn000w01v9qo9ocy1d@published'}, 'displayLogoSponsorship': False, 'plaintextShortHeadline': 'Researcher rescued after injury deep inside West Texas cave', '_opinionHeadlineOverride': {'shouldOverride': False}, 'plaintextPrimaryHeadline': 'Researcher rescued after injury deep inside West Texas cave', 'canBeMarkedGoogleStandout': True, 'isContentFromNoIndexByline': False, 'availableStandoutArticleInventory': True, 'articleWithinGoogleStandoutPublishDateLimit': True, 'canonicalUrl': 'http://www.audacy.com/krld/news/state/researcher-rescued-after-injury-deep-inside-west-texas-cave', 'site': 'demo', 'slugLock': True}, 'sort': [5914083], 'stationSlug': 'krld', 'original_id': 'www.audacy.com/_components/article/instances/cmlp620qn000y01v95ky56sp7@published'}}