Father: Rescue teams who fought to save man trapped in Utah’s Nutty Putty cave are ‘family’

Man who died trapped in Utah cave memorialized

STANSBURY PARK, Utah — The father of a man who died trapped in a Utah County cave says the rescue workers who fought to save his son are now part of his family.

Twenty-six-year-old John Jones died late Wednesday, nearly 28 hours after an unsuccessful rescue effort to extract him from Nutty Putty cave began. Officials say the cave will be sealed with Jones’ body entombed.

Leon Jones says the family is grateful for the effort and says rescue crews should not despair over the outcome.

Leon Jones spoke Saturday at a memorial service for his son. About 14 rescue workers were among the 400 mourners who attended the service.

Utah County sheriff’s Sgt. Tom Hodgson says rescue crews have struggled with John Jones’ loss.

Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune, www.sltrib.com