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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A sheriff's official says the entrance to a Utah cave where a 26-year-old medical student died last week will likely be permanently sealed up in the next two to three weeks.
State and county officials met Monday to discuss how and when Nutty Putty Cave will be closed.
John Jones died late Wednesday, some 28 hours after he became wedged in a narrow passage in an unmapped portion of the cave. Rescuers were unable to free him.
On Friday, cave officials, law enforcement and Jones' family decided that his body would not be recovered and that the 1,500-foot cave should be permanently shuttered.
Utah County Sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Cannon says the work is expected to begin soon.
A deputy will remain posted near the cave's single entrance until the closure is complete.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
