He visited the spot for cave diving and the group quickly split into two. This was because John was stuck 100 feet below the surface and 400 feet into the cave system. Others followed in the months and years that police spent investigating the Powell case. I felt constantly a weight of: How do I take care of my family and what am I supposed to be doing with my life? That was by far the most depressing part. "They put themselves in situations that they probably wouldn't have if they had just stopped and thought about it for a minute. RIP RIH JOHN JONES. (Family photo) " [He was trapped] in an unnamed, really unexplored part of the cave that, as far as we know, nobody had been to," Utah County Sheriff's Sergeant Spencer Cannon told Cawley in the spring of 2019. With no hope of rescue and his heart having suffered hours upon hours of strain due to his downward position, John was pronounced dead of cardiac arrest shortly before midnight on the evening of November 25, 2009. At 26, John was in the prime of his life. The entrance of Nutty Putty Cave on Blowhole Hill in Utah County on March 7, 2019. John Jones died in Nutty Putty cave on Nov. 25, 2009. In 2009, Jones reportedly entered the cave on an expedition with his friends and family. He was actually beyond that in an unnamed, really unexplored part of the cave.. John hadn't gone cave diving in quite awhile, so he never should've received a permit to even go down into the cave. Subscribe to our mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox. John knew he was now just about stuck and had no room to turn around. Uniformed deputies remained at the opening of the cave 24-hours a day from the night of Jones death until Nutty Puttys permanent closure the following week. What a horrible way to go. The most recognizable characteristic of the cave was the strangely viscous clay oozing from some of its walls, which the cave's first explorer, a man named Dale Green, compared to Nutty Putty, the original product name for Silly Putty. John Jones was a 26-year-old medical student who was. This scanned image of a postcard was located among thousands of Josh Powells computer files seized by West Valley City police during the investigation into Susan Powells disappearance. It reminds her of all that she has been given. Jon Jasper/jonjasper.com Explorer Kory Kowallis in the crawl to the aptly named Scout Trap passage in Nutty Putty Cave. It's not for nothing that three of the cave's tightest squeezes are called "The Helmet Eater," "The Scout Eater" and "The Birth Canal.". I knew John was still out there. In a new bonus episode, the podcast Cold investigated that theory to determine if it was plausible. John Jones tried to move forward by exhaling the air in his chest so that he could fit through a space that was barely 10 inches across and 18 inches high, about the size of the opening of a clothes dryer but when John inhaled again and his chest puffed back out, he got stuck for good. The closure of the cave was opposed by some members of the spelunking community. Just shoot me if I was him. In fact, the cave has a 45-degree room called The Big Slide, which was predicted to be the location of a fatality by some. Local time on the evening of November 24, 2009, a few days before Thanksgiving. All Rights Reserved, John Edward Jones died in a cave, but his widow emerged from the darkness, Nutty Putty Cave accident victims widow: I know there is life after death, Man trapped in Utah Countys Nutty Putty cave dies, Five years after tragedy, Nutty Putty Cave remains sealed, Bidens not in a rush to announce hes running for reelection, The 2023 Utah Legislature has wrapped. But on May 18, 2009, the cave was reopened to the public after it was found to have met the new safety precautions. When Nutty Putty Cave attracted thousands of visitors every year that went caving, John Jones was the only fatality. Nutty Putty Cave And The Death Of John Jones. A survey conducted in 2003 was able to map 1,355 feet (413 meters) of cave to a depth of 145 feet (44 meters) from the surface. In 2009, John Jones, a 26-year-old medical student and experienced caver, arrives in Utah for the Thanksgiving weekend with his wife Emily and young daughter Lizzie. (Photo: Dave Cawley, KSL Newsradio). The cave had only been reopened for six months in 2009 when John and his family entered. They needed for him to flex and bend to get him out. There was an almost successful attempt to save John Jones, when the pulley system that was being used actually started to give up and he moved a little, but because the cave was so slippery he slid and got stuck again. Explosives were used to collapse the ceiling close to Jones' body, and the entrance hole was filled with concrete to prevent further access. The problem happened when Jones expanded his chest again as he breathed, and in doing so Jones got stuck. In its heyday, as many as 25,000 people per year visited the cave. Officials announced Friday afternoon that the cave will. On November 24th, John, accompanied by several others, decided to have some fun by spending the evening in a local cave. John was at the Nutty Putty cave with his brother and nine other friends and family members. Richard Downey, the Grotto's treasurer and historian, led some of those same Boy Scout trips into Nutty Putty for decades. He is so supportive of that, of having the kids know their dad and be close to the Jones, Emily said. A rescuer working near John Jones in Nutty Putty Cave on Nov. 26, 2009. They struggled to free him in part because of the angle and position of his body. Were blessed. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the. Another showed John Edward Jones, a man who died in the cave less than two weeks before Susan Powell disappeared. In an interview, he said Id gone in it, in the front, and kind of said, Thats it, thats enough.. The downward angle at which John was trapped was putting great stress on his body because such a position requires the heart to work incredibly hard to continuously pump blood out of the brain (obviously, when the body is right side up, gravity does the work and the heart doesnt have to shoulder that load). That said, its also one of the many caves that are slippery and very dangerous. It had been difficult to remain there anyway with John gone and looking toward a summer birth, so she and Lizzie moved in with her parents until John Edward Jones II was born in June. I read this like a year ago and I still think about him from time to time. She said Donovan has been understanding and encouraging. At least 100 rescue workers tried to free 26-year-old John Jones of Stansbury Park, Utah after Jones became stuck in a tiny section 150 feet below the surface in the Nutty Putty Cave in Utah . They were coming to announce that they were expecting their second child. The cave has always been popular with cavers and Boy Scouts who enjoy exploring the dark underground. The story was both tragic and frightening in the same moment. The heart attack was caused due to excessive strain on the heart because of his downward position. Web john edward Jones. But even once help came, John was still trapped 400 feet into the cave and 100 feet below the Earths surface. It was their first time in Nutty Putty and a throwback to. In this brief guide we looked at the story about John Jones Cave, and how this tragic situation unfolded. I heard about John and his devastating fate when I watched Isacc Halasimas The Last Descent that was recommended by a friend. John Jones died in Nutty Putty Cave on Nov. 25, 2009. I was talking with my daughter about thissaid and thought the Exact same thing you said! John, Josh, and nine others entered into the cave system around 8 pm local time. Hi Susie, thanks for coming, John said, but I really, really want to get out.. Additionally, the caves popularity with the public led many of the rock surfaces in the cave to become excessively smooth, increasing the risk of slippage. He was born January 21, 1983 in Sandy, Utah. John, 26 at the time, and Josh, 23, along with nine other friends and family members, decided to explore Nutty Putty Cave as a way to connect with each other ahead of the holiday. Roundy believes that the pulley came loose at its anchor point in the cave wall, which contain a substantial amount of loose clay. John Edward Jones, 26, will have his final resting place in the Nutty Putty Cave, as members of the Utah County Sherriff's office announced there will be no more rescue efforts due to the. When they got into Nutty Putty, John made the unfortunate decision to split up and explore an un-mapped route within the cave system. He tried to exhale the air in his chest so that he could fit through a space that was barely 10 inches across and 18 inches high, about the size of the opening of a clothes dryer. John, 26 at the time, and Josh, 23, and nine other friends and family members decided to explore Nutty Putty Cave to communicate before their holiday. This increase in danger led the authorities to severely restrict the number of visitors that were allowed inside Nutty Putty Cave. It was estimated the cave was receiving over 5,000 visitors per year, with many visitors often entering the cave late at night and failing to take proper safety precautions. The Nutty Putty Cave-John Edward Jones Case. During the evening of November 24, 2009, John Jones and a group of fellow cave explorers entered Nutty Putty Cave located near Salt Lake City, UT. John Jones would have turned back at this stage of his cave exploration when he realized that he wasnt in the right branch of the cave, but the problem was that it was too narrow to even wriggle back out the way hed come which meant that he had to try to press forward because he thought that there was a widening of the crevasse in front of him which would allow him enough space to twist and turn and come back out. EVEN THO ITS BEEN OVER A DECADE AGO. Ultimately the decision was made that it was too much risk for the rescuers to remain there in an effort to get him out and the decision was made to leave him in place.. Between 1999 and 2004, six individuals became trapped in one of the . The cave system was named after the soft, brown, putty-like texture of the clay found in many of its passages. No matter what he tried, he wasnt able to get out of the jam he was in. Sa fortune s lve 10 000,00 euros mensuels The Nutty Putty Cave has become infamous in the spelunking community because of the disturbing death of 26-year-old John Edward Jones. But its no use second-guessing things. The american John Edward Jones was trapped in the Nutty Putty cave in the USA, Utah. Cannon said given the fact Susan Powell was seen alive after the concrete plug was poured, it is not possible for her body to also be entombed with John Jones. John started his expedition around 8 pm. The film focuses on the relationship between John with his daughter and wife as well as his terrifying experience and the aftermath of his death. The cave has more than 200 parietal figures and is also the only decorated cave . It's a story many people remember because of the tragic way in which he died. But when her son John was around 1 year old, she started to notice that he would latch on to any man who spent time with him. Web On 24 November 2009 John Edward Jones tragically passed away while exploring a hydrothermal cave in Utah known as Nutty Putty cave. One rescuer was badly injured when a pulley ripped free and struck him in the face. Eventually, Josh scrambled toward the exit of the cave to get help. This movie, The Last Descent, was released in 2016 to strong reviews and was well-received by the public. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_lzv__a4Pw. Visitors to Nutty Putty today will only find a plaque dedicated to Jones and poured concrete sealing over the entrance. The movie is available on Amazon Prime and I highly recommend watching while its there. A memorial plaque located near the former entrance to Nutty Putty Cave, placed in remembrance of John Jones. "It had tight squeezes that opened up into a big room, then back to another tight squeeze. The story of John Jones getting stuck in the cave is one that people will use as a cautionary tale for ages to come, and it shows just how difficult and dangerous spelunking can be sometimes. I guess at least he was in contact with people. Leavitt has spent 29 years as a Boy Scout leader, and the cave was a favorite place of the young men ages 14 to 18. This meant that he was no longer the small kid who followed his father, spelunking. They even brought his wife in to say her good byes. Of all the fascinating horror stories on YouTube this one I keep coming back to cuz it really unsettles me 11 years after the event I still feel for the guy. It's been a long five years since John Jones got stuck and died in Utahs Nutty Putty Cave, which was then sealed up and became his final resting place. "The Last Descent" is a moving film about John and Emily's relationship and his attempted rescue from Nutty Putty in 2009. His head pointed downward at an angle of 70 to 80 degrees. Weighing only four pounds and standing at just seven inches tall, this Yorkshire Terrier backpacked her way through the jungle terrain of New Guinea with the American soldier who found her. Heavenly Father wanted to bless me with love and support and the opportunity to continue to grow, so Im so glad that I was humbled enough to be open to that. John had suffered a fatal cardiac arrest shortly before midnight on November 25, 2009. John also said, Save me for my wife and kids.. Jones was held in place like a hook, unable to move without causing serious harm due to the bends his body was placed in. (Image: Jones Family Handout) But after more than 24 hours trapped upside down, the pressure and stress on his body . To further complicate the situation, Jones ribcage would catch on a lip of rock when the rescuers attempted to pull him back up and over the crux. Josh tried to pull at his brothers calves to no avail. What a HORRIBLE way to die! The Nutty Putty Cave was known for its notoriously narrow spaces. She said she remembers thinking that she was sure there was something to learn from what happened. Before 2009, this cave had four separate rescues of cavers and Boy Scouts, who got stuck inside the cave's tight twists, turns, and crawls. John Edward Jones died November 25 in a caving accident in Nutty Putty Cave, Utah County. But suddenly, and without warning, one of the pulleys failed. The death of John Jones is a stark reminder of how hazardous caving can be , and the reason we must adhere to safe caving procedures whenever we go exploring. This is the passage that John Jones thought he had found when he got stuck. John, Josh, and nine others entered into the cave system around 8 pm local time. Photos. . She remains close with the family, including Johns siblings, who still call and check on her and ensure her family can make it to the annual Jones family reunion. Jones was exploring the cave with a group of people when he became stuck in a narrow offshoot of. While attempting to find the Birth Canal, Jones took a wrong turn and ended up in an unmapped section of the cave near Ed's Push. At that point, John had been trapped for three and a half hours. Hole in the ground with maze.. The interior of Nutty Putty Cave, where Jones was trapped head-down at a 70-degree angle, was re-created in a warehouse in West Valley City. We did our best.. The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Jones died after being trapped for over 24 hours. While wriggling forward through one particularly tight passageway in a far reach of the cave, Jones became stuck. Web Emily Jones-Sanchez discusses tragedy Jo. While talking to Susie, John said, Hi Susie, thanks for coming, but I really, really want to get out.. It's sad what happened, but an entire natural landmark shouldn't be barricaded forever because of an accident that happened over a decade ago. Utah County called out its search and rescue team, which had prior experience working to extract stuck spelunkers from Nutty Puttys depths. [7] A large team of rescue workers came to his assistance but were unable to retrieve Jones using a sophisticated rope-and-pulley system after a pulley failed mid-extrication. The Utmost Efforts To Rescue John Jones From The Nutty Putty Cave: While rescuers trying to rescue John Jones. In fact, Nutty Putty had been closed to public access for years after those earlier rescues. Called The Last Descent (see above), it gives you an accurate glimpse of Johns ordeal and what it feels like to be trapped in the most narrow of cave passageways when claustrophobia and then hopelessness set in. I think Heavenly Father puts us in families because thats where we progress, so Heavenly Father gave me that opportunity again, to be in a relationship where I could learn to love better and become, hopefully, a better person, she said. Shaun Roundy, one of the rescuers on the scene, explained the difficulties facing anyone, even experienced spelunkers, who went into Nutty Putty Cave. Now, looking back, I see he was so right, she said. Finally, it was Johns brother, Josh that found him stuck. President Joe Biden's doctor said no further treatment was required for a skin lesion that was removed and found to be cancerous. He often talks to Lizzie and John about their dad and was even the one to suggest an eventual return to Utah to be closer to the Joneses. Discovered in 1960, Nutty Putty Cave outside of Salt Lake City, Utah was a local favorite with Boy Scout troops and college students, attracting 5,000 visitors a year. According to Halasima, he had also tried to go spelunking in the Nutty Putty Cave. He named them for their clay. This man went through hell and died anyway. The new Internet Historian video uploaded the other day has me thinking about this guy. I feel like I can love John more, and better, because of my relationship with Donovan. Roundy replays the rescue over and over in his head, even years after the incident. This article details what happened in the Nutty Putty Cave accident in which a caver of 26 years old identified as John Jones tragically lost his life in the year 2009. John went into the cave on Nov. 24, 2009 with 10 other friends and family members on an excursion organized by his brother, Josh. John Jones was married to his wife Emily Jones at the time of his death. Spencer Cannon said. U.S. "It was a crawly little cave," says Downey. His wife, Emily Jones-Sanchez, would return to Virginia a widow and recalls that first year and the first anniversary of his death. It is where this new family of five make their home. The Grotto set up an online reservation system that only allowed one group in the cave at a time, and the entrance to the cave was padlocked shut at night. The cave entrance is narrow with even more cramped and twisty passages, making it a perilous cave, even to experienced cavers. Its so great.. There is a growing sense that fallowing will have to be part of the solution to the increasingly desperate drought in the West. John Edward Jones entered the Nutty Putty Cave at around 8 p.m. local time on the evening of Nov. 24, 2009, as a means of spending some time with his family right before Thanksgiving doing something they had always loved doing. One of the pulleys failed, causing the whole operation to fail and John being trapped further. It has drawn many visitors since its discovery, and it quickly became famous for its narrow and slippery passages, twists, and turns. We've also learned that after the cave was sealed off for safety and to honor the man, people made threats to the family. Computer files recovered from Powells digital devices by police and obtained by Cold through an open records request included a scanned copy of a postcard showing the interior of Timpanogos Cave National Monument in Utahs Wasatch Mountains. Now, more than ever, I realize that its really the opposite is true. To save his life. (Photo: Jones family) Two days before Thanksgiving, on Nov. 24, 2009, Jones entered Nutty Putty Cave with 11 other people. They succeeded in rigging a rope and pulley system to help lift him past the obstacle. Bonus episodes of the KSL podcast Cold are available through the subscription service Wondery Plus, along with the entire first season of Cold ad-free.