Sixteen years after the tragedy, the last person to see caver John Jones alive has shared how emergency crews confirmed his death.
Jones’ horrifying fate is widely remembered as “the worst death imaginable.” In November 2009, the young man traveled from his home in Virginia to Utah for Thanksgiving, visiting the notorious Nutty Putty Cave with his brother and friends.
While navigating its narrow tunnels, John mistakenly entered a passage known as the “birth canal” and became trapped upside down with no possible escape. The situation quickly turned into a nightmare — for many, the idea of being wedged in a dark, claustrophobic tunnel is the stuff of pure terror.
His brother rushed to get help, sparking a massive 27-hour rescue mission. Dozens of rescuers worked tirelessly in shifts, fighting the confined space and John’s dangerous position. But the extended time upside down caused blood to pool in his head, placing extreme strain on his heart. Despite every effort, John did not survive.
The last person to see him alive, caver and YouTuber Brandon Kowallis, had assisted in the rescue. In a blog post last year, Brandon described how a smaller paramedic attempted to reach John but couldn’t. The medic showed Brandon how to use a stethoscope, thermometer, and check for a pulse.
Brandon managed to position the stethoscope just a few inches above John’s navel but heard no clear heartbeat, only faint rustling sounds — likely from his own shaking hands. He then removed John’s shoe to check his temperature, but the thermometer registered nothing, indicating it was below measurable range. He noticed John’s feet and legs had grown stiff, with limited movement possible.
Brandon climbed back to the surface to relay the grim news, after which paramedics entered the cave to confirm John’s death.
Today, a memorial plaque marks the entrance to Nutty Putty Cave — a solemn tribute to a day that left an indelible mark on the caving community.