Caver Who Died Stayed in 'Good Spirits'

The spelunker who died after being stuck upside-down in a Utah cave for 28 hours became wedged in exactly the same spot where two others had gotten stuck in recent years. In those cases, both in 2004, rescuers saved the trapped explorers. "Caving isn't generally considered to be a dangerous sport," said a sheriff's official. "But I think you can safely say this is a dangerous spot in that cave."

Its history will play a role in determining whether the Nutty Putty cave ever reopens to cavers. The 26-year-old medical student who died, John Jones, had plenty of experience, his family said: "He had explored many caves and maneuvered his way through many tight spaces before." Rescuers, who nearly had him freed at one point, commended him for "his remarkable good spirits and resilience to the end," reports the AP.
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