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Rescuer makes chilling admission about attempt to save man who suffered ‘worst death imaginable’ in Nutty Putty cave
A rescuer has made a chilling admission nearly 16 years after a 26-year-old man became trapped in Utah’s Nutty Putty Cave.
The incident happened in November 2009 and saw John Jones, a medical student, become trapped in a tight space known as the "birth canal". It proved deadly when John slipped into the passage and became stuck upside down.
As the hours passed, the situation worsened, and the rescue team, including John’s close friend Brandon Kowallis, was forced to make increasingly difficult decisions in an attempt to save his life. Unfortunately, this tragic incident would later become one of the most heartbreaking rescue operations in history.
John had been exploring the cave with friends when he found himself wedged in the narrow tunnel. His 6-foot frame was too large to maneuver, leaving him unable to escape. With each hour that passed, the severity of the situation became clearer. Despite a dedicated team of rescuers working through the night, the obstacles they faced seemed insurmountable, and John’s condition rapidly deteriorated.
The agonizing decision to widen the tunnel
As the hours wore on, the rescuers realized that the only chance to save John’s life was to use a jackhammer to widen the tunnel. This would have been a painful process, likely resulting in broken bones and severe injury.
The rescuer later admitted that this method would have badly cut up John and broken many bones, but it was their last and only option to attempt a rescue. Despite the risks, the team pressed on, with Brandon Kowallis and others continuing to chip away at the rock, hoping for a breakthrough.
In his blog, Kowallis shared the grim reality of the situation. He calculated that it could take anywhere from "three to seven days" to extract John, but time was something they simply didn’t have.
As John’s condition worsened, Kowallis wrote about how John was "in and out of consciousness" and began talking about "seeing angels and demons around him." The rescuers worked through the night, fully aware that each passing moment could be their last opportunity to save him.
The heartbreaking outcome and lasting impact
Despite their best efforts, John Jones was pronounced dead at 11:52PM. on November 15, 2009, from suffocation and cardiac arrest.
His death was a crushing blow to his family and friends, particularly his wife, Emily, who was pregnant with their daughter at the time. In a moving tribute, Emily later named their daughter Lizzie in honor of John, a child he never had the chance to meet.
In the wake of this tragedy, Nutty Putty Cave was permanently sealed to prevent further accidents. A memorial now stands at the entrance, commemorating the life of John Jones and the extraordinary efforts of those who tried to save him. The events surrounding his death continue to serve as a stark reminder of the risks of cave exploration and the difficult, often impossible, decisions rescuers must make in life-or-death situations.