A haunting video has shown the exact location where one man tragically died a horrific death in the infamous Nutty Putty cave.
John Edward Jones had been exploring the cave in November 2009 when he became wedged in a narrow passage, leading to a heartbreaking and ultimately fatal outcome.
Nutty Putty Cave, known for its winding passages and wide caverns, was considered suitable for beginner cave explorers.
John, alongside his experienced caver brother, Josh, ventured into the cave with a group, splitting up so the less experienced members could take on easier sections while the seasoned spelunkers explored deeper parts.
However, the adventure quickly took a tragic turn.
A Fatal Decision: The Birth Canal and the Narrow Crevice
During the exploration, John decided to search for a narrow tunnel called the “birth canal,” a passage known for its tight squeeze. However, in an unfortunate turn of events, he took a wrong turn and found himself trying to navigate an even narrower gap.
The crack he attempted to crawl through was just 10 inches wide and 18 inches high. At six feet tall and weighing 200 pounds, John quickly realized he was stuck.
Desperate, John attempted to move forward, sucking in his stomach to squeeze through, but as he exhaled, he became wedged in the crevice. There was no way to go back, and his only option was to continue forward, where he became completely immobilized.
Terrifying Video Shows Where John Was Stuck
TikTok user @averageguy_vr has used virtual reality to give us a glimpse inside the cave, and it is a nightmare for those who are claustrophobic.
The TikToker shows us a sign on the wall that points to John's final resting place before he dives a little deeper and points out the spot where his feet would be.
As he ventures further forward, the space gets tighter and tighter, and it becomes easy to see how John tragically got trapped in the area.
A Heartbreaking Plea for Help
Unable to free himself, John reached out to his brother Josh for help. Josh attempted to pull him out, but the situation worsened. John ended up inverted, with his head facing downwards, hands pinned under his chest, unable to move.
In their final exchange, Josh, overcome with emotion, said a prayer: “Guide us as we work through this.” John’s response was chilling: “Save me for my wife and kids.”
With no other option, Josh made the difficult decision to leave his brother behind and go for help. He made the 400-foot journey back through the cave to find help, but by the time rescuers arrived, hours had passed, and the situation had become dire.
The Desperate Rescue Efforts
Rescuer Susie Motola was the first to reach John, finding him hours later with only his shoes visible. "Hi Susie, thanks for coming, but I really, really want to get out," John reportedly said, showing just how desperate the situation had become.
A team of about 100 rescuers worked tirelessly over the next 24 hours to try and free John. The conditions in the cave were treacherous, with the passage being so narrow and awkward that it was incredibly difficult for rescuers to access him.
Shawn Roundy, one of the rescuers, described the area as "very narrow, very awkward" and difficult to navigate. Despite these challenges, the team was able to hold John’s hand at one point, offering him a small amount of comfort.
A Last-Minute Tragedy
After nearly 19 hours of failed attempts, the rescuers devised a pulley system to pull John free. Initially, it seemed to be working, with John managing to partially free himself.
Tragically, just as he was close to being rescued, the pulley system broke, sending him plummeting back into his trapped position. In his final moments, John’s heartbreaking words echoed through the cave: “I’m going to die right here. I’m not going to come out of here, am I?”
Despite his dire situation, John’s concern for others remained evident. As one of the rescuers, Ryan Shurtz, was injured during the pulley malfunction, John asked: “Is he OK? I think he’s really hurt bad.”
Emotional Plea to His Wife
As John’s panic grew and the pressure of his situation intensified, rescuers called his wife, Emily, to speak with him and try to calm him down. He reassured her that he would make it out alive and be there for her and their children.
Tragically, around 25 hours after becoming trapped, John lost consciousness due to suffocation and cardiac arrest.
Doctors later confirmed his death after they managed to reach him.
John’s body, unable to be freed due to the dangerous conditions, remained in the cave.
Despite his wife’s wishes to have him brought back, the authorities eventually made the difficult decision to seal the passage entrance with controlled explosives, leaving his body entombed inside forever.