The Nutty Putty incident
The Heart-Wrenching Tale of the Nutty Putty Incident
In the heart of Nutty Putty Cave, a tale of exploration turned tragedy unfolded on Thanksgiving Day in 2009, claiming the life of 26-year-old caver John Edward Jones. This harrowing incident serves as a reminder of the inherent dangers of caving and highlights the importance of adhering to safe practices when venturing into the subterranean unknowns.
Nutty Putty Cave, a hydrothermal cave located in Utah, gained fame for its narrow, slippery passages, twists, and turns, with various sections bearing ominous names like The Birth Canal, The Aorta Crawl, The Scout Eater, and The Maze. The cave, explored since 1960, boasts a total surveyed length and depth of 1355 and 145 feet, respectively.
John Jones, an experienced caver and medical student, embarked on a fateful caving expedition with his brother and friends on November 24, 2009. Their exploration took a tragic turn when John, attempting to navigate the challenging Birth Canal passage, found himself wedged in a fissure that went nearly straight down, measuring a mere 10 by 18 inches. Despite his caving experience, John’s predicament became increasingly dire as he became trapped upside down, more than 100 feet below ground.
As his brother Josh discovered John’s plight, a frantic attempt to rescue him ensued. A rescue team, comprising numerous volunteers and experts, faced the daunting task of navigating the cave’s narrow confines to reach John. Over a 27-hour period, they deployed various techniques, including a pulley system and attempts to drill away rock, all while contending with the challenging position of John’s body.
The rescue effort saw a glimmer of hope when the pulley system began lifting John out of the crevice. However, disaster struck during the fourth attempt, as a stone arch near John shattered, causing the entire rescue team to fall backward. The rope went loose, and John slid even deeper into the crevice.
Despite the valiant efforts of 137 rescuers working tirelessly, John’s lifeless body remained trapped. The cave, deemed too difficult and dangerous to retrieve his remains, became his eternal resting place. In a poignant decision, public authorities permanently sealed Nutty Putty Cave a week later, commemorating John’s memory with a plaque at the entrance.
The Nutty Putty incident serves as a reminder of the fragility of life in the face of nature’s challenges and the indomitable spirit of those who risk their lives to explore the mysterious depths below.
