More than 16 years after John Edward Jones died in one of the most heartbreaking cave accidents in history, a new virtual reality experience is giving people an up-close look at the Utah cave that became his final resting place.
The VR game Cave Crave offers a realistic, stomach-curdling walkthrough of Nutty Putty Cave, an infamous labyrinth of tight squeezes and tunnels that was permanently sealed following John’s death in 2009.
Built from original rescue team maps and survivor accounts, the recreation allows players to explore the cave’s claustrophobic passages with chilling accuracy.
Credit: Google Maps
A fatal mistake in the darkness
Jones, a 26-year-old medical student, had entered Nutty Putty with friends and family on what was supposed to be a fun evening exploring a “beginner cave".
Instead, he made a wrong turn and ended up in a dangerously narrow tunnel near a passage known as the “Birth Canal.”
Wriggling deeper in search of a wider turnaround spot, John became trapped upside down in a crevice just 10 inches wide and 18 inches tall.
At 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, he had no chance of backing out. The angle of his body made it impossible to breathe properly, and the position placed immense pressure on his organs. He was stuck in that position for 27 agonizing hours.
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.
At one point, the team considered using a jackhammer to widen the tunnel, even knowing it would likely break bones and cause severe injuries. Still, it was the only chance.
Kowallis estimated it would take “three to seven days” to free him - time they didn’t have.
A plaque now marks the place where John Edward Jones died. Credit: Google
On November 15, 2009, at 11:52PM, John died from cardiac arrest and suffocation. He left behind a pregnant wife and a grieving family.
His daughter, born months later, was named Lizzie in his honor - a child he never had the chance to meet.
Following his death, authorities sealed the cave with explosives and concrete to prevent future tragedies. A memorial now marks the site.
Cave Crave: honoring memory or too disturbing?
Now, Cave Crave is reopening the cave - virtually.
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 the creators insist it’s a respectful educational tool.