John Edward Jones’ last days in Nutty Putty Cave stand as a stark reminder of the perilous allure of caving and the devastating consequences that can arise from its inherent risks. In November 2009, what started as a family adventure turned into a harrowing struggle for survival, forever etched into the annals of caving history.
The Jones family, gathered for Thanksgiving, decided to explore Nutty Putty Cave, located in the Utah desert near Salt Lake City. It was meant to be a day of fun and bonding, a chance to create lasting memories. John, a 26-year-old medical student at the University of Virginia, joined his brother Josh and other family members for the outing. Though John considered himself an experienced caver, his busy life had left little time for such adventures in recent years.
Nutty Putty Cave, known for its tight, winding passages and challenging crawls, had recently reopened with new safety guidelines after being closed for several years due to previous incidents. Despite being classified as a beginner’s cave, it housed notoriously difficult sections like the Birth Canal and the Aorta Crawl, which only the most experienced cavers dared to attempt.
As the group navigated the main areas of the cave, John and Josh, along with two friends, decided to seek out the more challenging tunnels. They aimed for the Birth Canal, a tight passage ending in a small room where one could turn around. John and Josh took a left-hand passage, squeezing through the undulating tunnels known for their rock outcroppings and narrow squeezes. This area, called the Corkscrew, required careful maneuvering of shoulders, hips, and legs to progress.
Unbeknownst to John, he had ventured into uncharted territory, mistaking a small, uncharted tunnel for the Birth Canal. Determined to push forward, he found himself stuck at a ledge, convinced that the passage would open up just ahead. His persistence led him into a deadly predicament—wedged upside down in a space barely larger than a laptop screen, with no room to turn back.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, John called out to Josh, who immediately recognized the severity of his brother’s plight. Josh squeezed through the tight passage to reach John, finding him trapped and unable to move. The rescue efforts began in earnest, with Josh quickly heading out to summon help.
As hours passed, rescuers arrived, including the first cave rescuer, Susie Mattah, who made her way to John. The task of extracting him was monumental. John was trapped in a nearly vertical position, with gravity pressing his 200-pound body against the rough cave walls. The rescue team, constrained by the tight space and working conditions, tried various methods to free him. They employed ropes and eventually a pulley system, but the cave’s unyielding grip thwarted their efforts.
John remained trapped for over 24 hours, enduring excruciating physical strain. The upside-down position took a severe toll on his body, with fluids accumulating in his lungs and toxins building up due to impaired circulation. Despite his resilience and the tireless work of rescuers, the situation grew increasingly dire. John’s wife, Emily, who was pregnant with their second child, communicated with him via a wired telecom system, offering words of encouragement and love.
By the time the rescue team managed to lift John slightly using the pulley system, his body was already severely compromised. His legs, tied with ropes for hours, had no discernible pulse, and his breathing was shallow and labored. The rescuers faced an agonizing reality: despite their best efforts, they could not free John in time.
At 11:56 PM on November 25, 2009, John Edward Jones was pronounced dead. He had survived an extraordinary 27 hours in an inverted position, far longer than anyone had predicted possible. The rescue teams, who had worked tirelessly and heroically, were left devastated by the outcome.
John’s death led to the permanent closure of Nutty Putty Cave, which was sealed with concrete to prevent further tragedies. A plaque was placed at the entrance to commemorate John’s life, marking the end of a cave that had claimed too many lives. The story of John Edward Jones is a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between adventure and safety, and the ultimate price that can be paid when that balance tips too far.