By 2009, the Nutty Putty Cave system had gained the reputation of trapping the less experienced divers, requiring multiple search and rescue events through the years. Notice the entrance (in the center) and the birth canal at the bottom right.Įxperts estimate that of the 6,000 groups that visited the Nutty Putty Cave per year, 90% arrived unprepared. It's senseless," he said.The Nutty Putty Cave map. "He would have done anything for you, so that's what makes it even harder. Spencer Jones said the family of five boys and two girls was close, and his brother was a wonderful person. Nutty Putty is now closed until a decision can be made about its future, Leavitt said. The application and pass system is designed to make sure those who go into the cave either have adequate experience or a guide to ensure their safety, Leavitt said. I'm sure he went into this passage hoping it was going to open up into one of the larger rooms." "They were qualified, John was qualified. "They've never been to Nutty Putty before, but they toured many harder caves in the Logan area that required vertical climbing skills," said Leavitt, one of dozens of cavers who volunteered with the rescue effort.
Reservations and an access pass is required to explore the cave, with usage restricted to about six groups daily.Ĭave access manager, Michael Leavitt said the Jones group had a pass and were experienced cavers, based on the information provided on a pass application. The cave is privately owned by Utah's State Institutional Trust Land Administration. "But I think you can safely say this is a dangerous spot in that cave."Ĭannon said the sheriff's office wouldn't give an opinion about whether the cave should remain open for recreation or be closed. "Caving isn't generally considered to be a dangerous sport," Cannon said. Search and rescue workers successfully rescued two people from the same spot in the 1,500-foot-long cave during the same week in 2004. "It's not very often where you come in, you have high hopes and you are going into an operation you have done before with success and then you get into a situation where it doesn't go as you planned." But in the hours after he became wedged again, Jones' physical condition deteriorated. Rescuers were able to get him food and water during that temporary freedom. Jones was freed from the crevice late Wednesday afternoon but fell back several feet into the tight space when an anchor in the cave roof that supported the pulley system failed, Cannon said. The crevice was about 150 feet below ground in an L-shaped area of the cave known as "Bob's Push," which is only about 18 inches wide and 10 inches high, said Utah County Sheriff's Department spokesman Sgt.
#John jones nutty putty free#
At times more than 50 rescuers were involved in trying to free him. The 6-foot-tall, 190-pound spelunker got stuck with his head at an angle below his feet about 9 p.m. John Jones was part of a group of 11 people exploring the cave passages. Cannon said recovery work can be more aggressive than a rescue because the victim's well-being is considered differently. Rescue teams had been using drilling equipment to try and free Jones from the cave. It's unclear when the effort will resume. A recovery effort to extract John Jones' body from the cave was on hold Thursday as the Utah County sheriff's office tried to determine how best to proceed, Sgt.
0 kommentar(er)
