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Spelunker Trapped Upside Down, Dies in Cave Rescue
22 Nov
Summary
- John Jones became trapped headfirst in a narrow, L-shaped cave passage.
- Rescue efforts lasted 27 hours before John Jones was pronounced dead.
- The cave where John Jones died was later sealed permanently.
In late 2009, John Edward Jones, 26, became wedged upside down in a narrow, 18-by-10-inch L-shaped passage within Utah's Nutty Putty Cave. Despite being an experienced spelunker, he found himself in an unmapped chamber and was unable to free his 6-foot, 190-pound frame.
Rescue attempts commenced, facing significant challenges due to the extremely tight and awkward location. Rescuers managed to provide Jones with sustenance and even allowed him to speak with his pregnant wife. However, an equipment malfunction during a hoist operation caused him to fall back into the same crevice.
After 27 hours, with rescue efforts proving futile and conditions deteriorating, John Jones was pronounced deceased. Due to the dangerous circumstances, his body was entombed within the cave, which was subsequently sealed permanently and now serves as an informal memorial.
