True Film Of Utah Nutty Putty Cave Rescue Attempt Is Agonizing

A true story turned into a movie about a 2009 Utah cave rescue attempt is streaming on multiple viewing platforms and is absolutely heartbreaking to watch. The cave has since been sealed off along with the unfortunate victim of the freak November incident that gripped the state and nearly cost a rescuer's life.

I had the chance to watch The Last Descent earlier this week. I read about the story of 26-year-old John Jones while doing some research for work. He had headed home for the Thanksgiving holiday 15 years ago and made the fateful decision to explore Nutty Putty Cave with another, and the consequences are still hard to fathom.

The rescue attempt must have been devastating for all involved, and I can't imagine how rough it was for the family. The film reminded me of another based on a true Utah hiking story gone wrong called 127 Hours from 2010.

Get our free mobile app

Nutty Putty Cave was a popular site for those seeking a one-of-a-kind hike for decades and was located just outside the city of Elberta, Utah. Elberta is 60 miles south of Salt Lake City. The cave's entrance has since been filled with cement to forever prevent visitors from discovering the incredibly sad reality of November 24, 2009.

I was literally suffering from some mild angina while watching the surprisingly well-done film directed by Issac Halasima. Jones got wedged in an 18-inch wide hole 150 feet below the ground and died from cardiac arrest approximately 27 hours later. His body could not be recovered and remains in the sealed-off cave to this day.

The rescue attempt must have been devastating for all involved, and I can't imagine how rough it was for the family. The film reminded me of another based on a true Utah hiking story gone wrong called 127 Hours from 2010. I found the film on YouTube, but it's also apparently available on Peacock.