• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content

Home> News> Sport

Published 21:17 8 Aug 2023 GMT+1

Caves closed forever after number of horrific cases of people being buried alive

The caves in America tragically took the life of a 'spelunker'

Jess Battison

Jess Battison

Caving and serious spelunking (exploring caves) are definitely not sports to just do for a bit of fun.

Indeed, the thought of having to crawl around super tight, super dark and usually super cold spaces just does not sound appealing to me. But it turns out the thrill and high-stakes nature of the sport does tempt many other people into trying it.

Naturally, not all caves are incredibly dangerous, but there’s one set that’s been closed off forever because of tragedies that have taken place within them.

Advert

The Nutty Putty Caves were once a popular spot for caving. That was until too many people started getting buried alive there.

They ended up being sealed off with concrete following the death of experienced spelunker, John Edward Jones, in 2009.

John Edward Jones was trapped inside the Nutty Putty Cave in Utah.
Family handout

He became stuck upside down in a particularly dangerous part of the cave known as the 'birth canal'. After being stuck for 24 hours, he eventually stopped breathing and became unresponsive after each breath drew him deeper into the wedge.

Found south of Salt Lake City in Utah, USA, the perilous cave got its name from the soft, putty-like texture of the calyx inside it.

Advert

Before the main closure after Jones’ death, Nutty Putty Cave had been temporarily closed to ensure that proper safety precautions were put in place for anyone seeking to risk taking a trip down into it.

But despite the horrific death, when the caves were closed once again in November of that year, many cavers were angry at the decision.

Some cavers had even broken through the gate to get in, so after Jones’ death, it was sealed off with concrete and explosives.

The entrance to the cave.
YouTube / Fascinating Horror

It was then agreed that the cave would be be sealed off - partly due to safety concerns - and also because extracting Jones' body would be too dangerous.

Advert

There had been a number of other cases of people getting stuck in there prior to his death.

In 2004, a 16-year-old boy was rescued after being trapped upside down for nearly 14 hours.

He had been leading his friends through the cave and spotted a small opening that seemed to descend.

His mother told the Daily Herald: “He started crawling through that and he slipped and started falling. His head was down and he was upside down in what is not a very big area. He thought the area continued, but it didn’t.”

The boy was stuck upside down and ‘folded in half’. After a lot of pain and a long rescue mission, his mum said she ‘wouldn’t be surprised if he goes back’.

Advert

But that definitely isn’t possible anymore with Nutty Putty Caves now sealed, becoming a tomb and memorial to the unfortunate death of Jones.

Featured Image Credit: YouTube / Fascinating Horror / The Jones family handout

Topics: Sport, US News, YouTube

Jess Battison
Jess Battison

Jess is a Senior Journalist with a love of all things pop culture. Her main interests include asking everyone in the office what they're having for tea, waiting for a new series of The Traitors and losing her voice at a Beyoncé concert. She graduated with a first in Journalism from City, University of London in 2021.

X

@jessbattison_

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Elon Musk urges release of Epstein files weeks after accusing Trump of being involved in fiery X rant
  • Tragic final social media post of 17-year-old student who died in twin brother’s arms after being stabbed
  • Terrifying footage shows moment man nearly dies after being sucked into a jet engine
  • Symptoms of one of the hardest cancers to spot as cases skyrocket among young people

Choose your content:

an hour ago
3 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Simulation reveals Amelia Earhart's 'final moments' as scientists 'finally discover' lost plane

    Back in 1937, Earhart was travelling across the globe with her navigator, Fred Noonan, when the pair disappeared

    News
  • an hour ago

    Ex-ketamine addict who spent £5,000 on drugs in a weekend reveals lowest point of his addiction

    Thomas Delaney bravely opened up about some of his toughest moments before getting clean

    News
  • 3 hours ago

    Royal Caribbean drinks package hack will save you money on future cruises

    Who doesn't love a bargain?

    News
  • 3 hours ago

    Awkward moment Emmanuel Macron left hanging by his wife as they arrive in UK for state visit

    The French President is in the UK to meet the King today (8 July)

    News