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Final radio call from Nutty Putty Cave shows the last words of a family
A Utah cave tragedy details the final radio exchange during a 2009 rescue that ended in collapse and a memorial.
An in depth look at the Nutty Putty Cave tragedy and the final radio call between rescuers and John Edward Jones.
Final radio call from Nutty Putty Cave shows the last words of a family
John Edward Jones, a 26-year-old spelunker from Utah, became stuck in a narrow unmapped passage in Nutty Putty Cave in November 2009. A 27-hour rescue attempt failed as he remained headfirst in a 10 inch by 18 inch opening. Rescue teams faced dangerous conditions, and officials decided to collapse the passage to prevent further harm.
A radio allowed him to speak to his family. The final moments included his father, mother, and wife speaking with him to offer love and prayers. A rescuer noted that the last moments included a blessing from his father and a message of peace from his wife. Rescuers including Brandon Kowallis and Debbie tried to reposition him but could not due to the tight space and the risk to the team.
Key Takeaways
"I think it was his father, mother, and wife who spoke to him, telling him that they loved him and were praying for him and that his father had given him a blessing."
Kowallis recounts the final conversation during the rescue
"His wife mentioned a feeling of peace, that everything would be OK."
Wife's sense of peace during the call
"It looked like he could only be lifted another foot or two in his current position because of where the webbing was anchored around his knees."
Physical constraints described by Kowallis
"American medical student was having trouble breathing as blood rushed to his head, and he started to float in and out of consciousness."
Description of his condition during the final moments
The tragedy highlights the lure of exploration and the limits of rescue. Nutty Putty Cave remained closed after the collapse, and a memorial and plaque mark the site. The story raises questions about safety standards for unknown passages and the toll on rescue crews.
For readers, the piece invites reflection on memory as a way to cope with loss and on the balance between curiosity and caution in extreme environments. It also shows the lasting impact on the families and the community who remember the event.
Highlights
- Hope can outpace danger for a heartbeat
- Love speaks through fear in a final quiet moment
- Memory keeps a person alive when a body cannot be saved
- Courage must meet caution in the dark
Distressing content risk
The article covers a fatal cave incident with graphic details and a family tragedy. It may distress readers and could be sensitive for survivors and relatives.
Tragedy invites a sober look at the line between curiosity and care.
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