How a Man Got Trapped Forever in Nutty Putty Cave
In November 2009, 26-year-old John Jones decided to explore the Nutty Putty Cave near Utah Lake. He wanted to challenge himself and set a new record by going through the cave’s narrow passages. However, this decision ended up costing him his life.
John, along with his brother Josh and a group of friends, entered the cave. They had some experience in caving, but it was their first time in Nutty Putty. This cave is famous for its tight and slippery paths, with some sections only 30 inches wide. After an hour of exploring, John decided to go deeper into a dangerous part called the “Barred Canal,” which was known to be very hard to get through. Sadly, he made a wrong turn and ended up in an even tighter spot called the “Corkscrew,” where he got stuck, head down, and unable to move.
John realized he was in trouble and called for his brother Josh, who tried to pull him free but only made things worse. John was trapped upside down, which made it hard for his body to work properly. Since there was no cell phone signal inside the cave, Josh had to go out to call for help.
Three hours later, the first rescue team arrived. They tried everything they could think of to get John out, including cutting his clothes to create more space and using ropes and pulleys. But the cave was too narrow, and the rocks around them kept falling, making the rescue even harder. The doctors warned that being stuck upside down was putting too much pressure on John’s heart, and he didn’t have much time left.
The rescue team tried their best to save John, but the equipment kept failing, and his condition got worse. For a moment, they thought they could pull him out, but the pulleys broke again, leaving John stuck in the same spot. After 27 hours of being trapped, John stopped responding, and a paramedic confirmed that he had passed away. John’s wife, waiting outside the cave, struggled to accept the tragic news.
The rescue team considered different ways to recover John’s body, but eventually, they decided to leave it in the cave. The Nutty Putty Cave was permanently sealed with John’s body inside, and it now serves as a reminder of the dangers of cave exploration.
Today, a memorial plaque outside the cave honors John Jones and warns others of the risks.
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