Man trapped in cave dies

A US man stuck in a Utah cave for more than a day has died.

Authorities say 26-year-old John Jones died early on Thursday about 200 metres into the cave known as Nutty Putty, located about 130 kilometres south of Salt Lake City.

Utah County Sheriff's Department spokesman Sergeant Spencer Cannon said rescuers were able to reach Jones but he was wedged too tightly to pull him out.

He said that in recent hours Jones had had trouble maintaining consciousness and breathing, but the cause of death probably wouldn't be known until crews removed his body.

The crevice where Jones was trapped, with his head below his feet, is about 45 metres below ground in an L-shaped area of the cave known as "Bob's Push", which is only about 45 centimetres wide and 25 centimetres high.

Jones became stuck in the narrow cave about 9pm on Tuesday while spelunking with a group of about 11 people, according to the Utah County sheriff's department.

Up to 50 rescuers were involved in trying to free him, chipping away with air-powered tools in the arrow tunnel.

At one point late in the afternoon, Jones was freed from the crevice, only to fall back several metres into the tight space when a cord that was supporting him failed.

Rescuers were able to get him food and water during that temporary freedom.

According to the official Nutty Putty cave website, the area was first discovered in 1960. The cave is privately owned by Utah's State Institutional Trust Land Administration. An access pass is required to explore the cave, with usage restricted to about six groups daily.

The county's last rescue there was in 2004.

Cannon said officials considered closing the tunnel or sealing it off after the last rescue but ultimately decided to erect a gate that requires a key for entry.

- AP