A Tragic Adventure

In November 2009, 26-year-old medical student, husband, and father John Edward Jones entered Utah’s Nutty Putty Cave with family and friends.

What was meant to be “a fun outing during the Thanksgiving holiday” turned into one of the darkest tragedies in modern caving.

The Cave’s Reputation

Nutty Putty Cave, discovered in the 1960s, was known for “twisting passages, tight squeezes, and unstable terrain.”

Despite past rescues and temporary closures, it reopened with safety rules—yet still remained dangerous.

A Fatal Misstep

While exploring, John mistook a tight crevice for the “Birth Canal.”

At just 10 inches high and 18 inches wide, it trapped him upside down.

Rescuers worked tirelessly with ropes and pulleys, but after nearly 28 hours, “John had lost consciousness and could not be revived.”

The Aftermath

His body could not be recovered, and Nutty Putty Cave was sealed permanently.

A plaque now honors him, his story serving as both tribute and warning.