VR footage reveals view of man who 'died the worst death imaginable' after being stuck in Nutty Putty Cave

A terrifying VR simulation has revealed what the final hours of a man who died the 'worst death imaginable' would have been like.

Back in 2009, John Edward Jones died in a horrifying accident while exploring Nutty Putty Cave, a tight and complex network in Utah.

In November 2009, 26-year-old Jones, who was an experienced caver, and three others left their group of family and friends in search of the 'Birth Canal', a tight and difficult but not impossible passageway with a turnaround at the end.

Jones entered an unmapped passageway, believing he'd found the Birth Canal, but instead found himself at a dead end, with his only option being to go towards a narrow vertical downward fissure.

John Jones died in Nutty Putty Cave. Credit: Jones Family Handout

Believing this was the turnaround within the Canal, Jones entered the fissure - which measured measured just 10 by 18 inches (25 by 46 cm) and was located 400 feet from the entrance of the cave - head-first, but quickly became stuck upside down.

After calling for help, a large group of rescuers attempted to free him from the crevice, using a rope and pulley system, which did initially manage to improve his position until the rope system failed when it was put under pressure, plunging him back into the hole.

Rescuers, including veteran caver and friend Brandon Kowallis, worked nonstop to save him. Kowallis later revealed in his blog that John was “in and out of consciousness” and spoke of seeing “angels and demons around him” as his body deteriorated.

Jones eventually died from cardiac arrest due to the strain put on his body by so many hours spent upside down in a compressed position.

Tragically, Jones' body also could not be retrieved as rescuers concluded it would be too dangerous to try and remove it, with the cave eventually being sealed with Jones' remains still inside it.

Explosives were used to collapse the ceiling in the passageway close to where Jones' body was, and all entry points to the cave were permanently sealed with concrete, making them no longer accessible. A plaque was also put outside the cave as a memorial to the late man.

Credit: Google Maps

Now, VR footage has given people a glimpse of what Jones likely saw in those final moments before he made the fatal mistake.

The VR game Cave Crave offers a realistic, goosebump-inducing walkthrough of Nutty Putty Cave.

Built from original rescue team maps and survivor accounts, the recreation allows players to explore the cave’s claustrophobic passages with chilling accuracy.

Created using documentation from the rescue operation and direct input from Kowallis, the VR simulation lets users explore Nutty Putty’s entire 1,400-foot layout.

Kowallis himself narrates the experience, recalling details from his time in the cave and providing insight into the rescue efforts.

“It’s been 16 years since I’ve been in the cave, and going through this tour helped me remember some of the passages I’ve forgotten,” Kowallis wrote, per Daily Mail. “It was fun taking a walk down memory lane, and I think it will help those who weren’t involved get a sense of what we were up against.”

However, to preserve dignity, the developers blocked off the exact location where John died to prevent users from reaching or recreating the fatal spot.

They also chose to release the update for free, saying they didn’t want to profit from the tragedy.

Still, reactions online have been divided. While some gamers praised the accuracy, others were deeply unsettled by the idea of going into a cave - even virtually.

"Genuine question: im not trying to be rude, I LITERALLY just don’t understand……. what is the appeal? like is anyone here a tunnel cave explorer that could explain it to me? i just really don’t get it…. :/" one user wrote.

Another added: "Thanks to VR technology I can now also refuse to go in VR," and a third added: "Feels claustrophobic through the screen."

Critics have accused the game of “gamifying a tragedy,” while its creators insist it’s a respectful educational tool.

Featured image credit: Jones Family Handout