Featured Image Credit: 3R Games
Topics: US News, News, Social Media, Technology
Lucy Devine
A disturbing new virtual reality clip has pinpointed the exact location in which a man died in the most 'horrifying way imaginable' over 15 years ago.
Back in 2009, a man named John Edward Jones, his brother Josh, and some of their friends went exploring a cave in Utah called the Nutty Putty Cave.
The infamous site is located 55 miles from Salt Lake City and is known for its incredibly tight passages.
While travelling through the cave, John, 26, decided that he wanted to try one of the notoriously tightest spots, known as the 'Birth Canal'.
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However, he took a wrong turn and ended up going down an even narrower passage, where he came into trouble, eventually finding himself in an area of the cave measuring just 10 x 18 inches.
The medical student went headfirst into the entrance, which left him stuck upside down and unable to turn around or go backwards. And every time his chest expanded for air, it would wedge him in further.
John called his brother for help, and a rescue mission began, which ultimately lasted 27 hours. With John unable to make it through the other side, and with no way to turn around, the rescue team did all they could to set him free.
They tried to free him using a rope system, but they were unable to get John high enough out of the passage. At one point, the rope system failed, and he fell even further down the tunnel.
Despite their best efforts, John passed away after 27 hours, suffering from a cardiac arrest.
Now, a VR by 3R Games reveals exactly what it was like inside the cave.
Shared by JustinWieb VR, the clip shows Justin moving through the cave before he encounters the exact spot in which John became trapped.
People were quick to comment on the terrifying moment, with many explaining they felt claustrophobic just watching.
One wrote: "I can't imagine the sheer amount of panic that came over him when he realized he hit a dead end, plus he was upside down."
Another said: "I don’t have a thing against cave divers, but I wake up thankful every day I don’t have a yearning for this."
And a third added: "I feel nausea every time I see the illustration of how he got stuck."
Brandon Kowallis, a cave explorer who'd assisted in Jones' rescue, had previously said that because of the position he was stuck in and his unconsciousness, rescue was 'pretty much impossible'.
Volunteer Susie Motola, who also assisted with the rescue mission, shared some of John's final words.
He told her: "Hi Susie, thanks for coming, but I really, really want to get out. I'm going to die right here. I'm not going to come out of here, am I?"
After John's death, it was decided that retrieving his body would be too dangerous, and so an agreement was made by the authorities to close the cave permanently.
The entrance hole has since been filled with concrete, and a plaque in tribute to John remains on site.