| Name | Age | Sex | Injuries | Injured areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burke, Clinton Theodore | 15 | Male | Broken leg | Not recorded |
Clinton Theodore (Ted) Burke (15) and Lee Morgan climbed down a wire and cable into a 30-foot deep hole. Morgan was able to climb out of the cave, but Burke was not. Morgan went for help and brought back Burke's father. While Morgan was gone, Ted Burke tried once again to climb out, but the cable broke and he fell, injuring himself.
Burke's father returned to town and summoned the Roswell City Fire Department, who in turn contacted the Chaves County Sheriff's office. Two men were lowered into the cave. They splinted Burke's leg and placed him in a stretcher which was hauled out with ropes. Burke was admitted to St. Mary's Hospital for a leg injury and a possible back injury, but was discharged the next day.
Analysis: Burke was clearly too inexperienced to attempt a vertical cave. He unwisely relied on the safety of cables which had been previously placed in the cave.