A 26-year-old Virginia man, John Jones, who was trapped in the Nutty Putty Cave in Utah County, died sometime before midnight Wednesday. The rescue operation has now become a recovery operation for the crews who worked over 24 hours to try and save his life.
Before his tragic death, he was extricated from the tiny cracked that trapped him, but a rescue equipment failure caused Jones to slide back into the crevice. He died soon after.
Jones was trapped, upside-down, in a narrow section of the cave since 9pm Tuesday night. Rescue crews from numerous agencies worked tirelessly to free the man using air-powered tools to chisel away at the rock.
Jones was spelunking with family and friends while on Thanksgiving vacation. He became trapped in a notorious section of the cave known as "Bob's Push." According to Utah County sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Cannon, it's an even more constrictive tunnel than an area called "The Birth Canal."
According to Jone's brother, Josh Jones, the man became trapped as he made his way head-first through "Bob's Push." When he got stuck, his body was upside-down at a 70-degree angle. Rescue crews are once again trying to get Jones out, but apparently he isn't wedged into the crevice as much as earlier in the day.
For more information check out this article from the Salt Lake Tribune, or watch video at the KUTV 2News website, connect2utah.com
Comments
That's just awful. I hope he wasn't married with kids, but with that photo..
I hope his family finds peace knowing that he is safely with our Heavenly Father.
He was married. He has a young wife, a thirteen month-old daughter, and a second baby on the way in June. I did not know them very well when they lived nearby, but did know that they were both beautiful, compassionate people.
My heart goes out to the families that are going through this. God bless
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