A Fateful Exploration
On November 24, 2009, Jones entered Nutty Putty Cave, located approximately 55 miles southwest of Salt Lake City, with his brother Josh and other family members. The cave, known for its narrow passageways, had been reopened to the public earlier that year after previous safety concerns.
While exploring, Jones mistook an unmapped passage for a known route called the “Birth Canal” and became wedged headfirst in a tight vertical fissure measuring about 10 inches wide and 18 inches high, approximately 400 feet from the cave entrance.
Rescue Efforts and Tragic Outcome
Rescue teams worked tirelessly for over 27 hours to free Jones, employing a complex rope-and-pulley system in the confined space. At one point, they managed to move him slightly, but the system failed, causing him to slip back into the crevice. Tragically, Jones succumbed to cardiac arrest due to the strain of being inverted for an extended period.
Permanent Closure of Nutty Putty Cave
After assessing the risks, authorities and Jones’ family agreed that retrieving his body was too dangerous.
Legacy and Awareness
Jones’ story has been depicted in the 2016 film The Last Descent, which portrays the events leading to his tragic death. The incident has raised awareness about the dangers of spelunking and the importance of proper safety measures when exploring caves.
