**Content Warning: This story contains graphic details about a fatal cave accident involving prolonged entrapment in a confined space. It includes descriptions of claustrophobic conditions, failed rescue attempts, and a tragic death. The content may be particularly distressing for those sensitive to themes of confinement or helplessness.

In this segment of the Crux podcast called Disaster Strikes, hosts Kaycee Macintosh and Julie Henningsen recount the tragic story of John Edward Jones and the Nutty Putty Cave incident. Unlike their regular episodes that focus on survival stories, this biweekly segment delves into outdoor adventures that ended in disaster, aiming to educate listeners on how quickly things can go wrong in the wilderness. The episode recounts John Jones' fatal caving expedition in November 2009, the rescue efforts, and the series of small but fatal decisions that led to his entrapment and death. The story serves as a somber reminder of the dangers inherent in cave exploration and the critical importance of adhering to safety protocols.

00:00 Introduction to Disaster Strikes

00:44 The Nutty Putty Cave Tragedy

01:37 John Edward Jones: A Life of Promise

03:03 The Fateful Decision

04:13 Exploring Nutty Putty Cave

07:16 The Desperate Rescue Effort

12:56 The Tragic Outcome

21:44 Aftermath and Legacy

27:38 Lessons Learned

29:19 Conclusion and Sign-Off

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In this episode of the Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen recount the harrowing 20-hour survival and rescue ordeal of 65-year-old Lithuanian adventurer Valdas Bieliauskas in the wilderness of Tasmania. After a tragic fall left Valdas' leg wedged between two boulders in freezing rapids, his friends and a dedicated Australian rescue team faced impossible decisions and extraordinary challenges. The rescue's climax involved an underwater amputation performed with minimal resources, saving Valdas' life. This story underscores human resilience, the capabilities of modern emergency medicine, and the extraordinary courage of wilderness rescue professionals.

01:32 The Incident on the Franklin River

04:03 The Rescue Operation Begins

07:04 The Struggle to Free Valdas

16:24 Critical Decisions and Final Attempts

21:13 A Desperate Situation

21:43 The Arrival of Dr. Kippax

22:57 The Underwater Amputation

26:39 A Race Against Time

29:15 The Miracle of Hypothermia

30:42 A Remarkable Recovery

34:14 Reflections on Risk and Rescue

38:52 Valdas' Future Plans

41:44 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

42:57 Closing Remarks

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• ABC News Australia. "How one slip on the Franklin River triggered a race to save a rafter's life." June 28, 2025. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-29/franklin-river-rescue-man-stuck-lithuanian-valdas-leg-amputated/105420916
• RNZ News. "Your leg or your life: Inside a perilous 24-hour wild river rescue." June 29, 2025. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/565467/your-leg-or-your-life-inside-a-perilous-24-hour-wild-river-rescue
• LRT (Lithuanian National Radio and Television). "Your leg or your life: Lithuanian traveller lost limb in near-deadly accident in Tasmania." February 1, 2025. https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2474903/your-leg-or-your-life-lithuanian-traveller-lost-limb-in-near-deadly-accident-in-tasmania
• Australian Story (ABC). "The River: Franklin River Rescue" (Parts 1 & 2). June 30 & July 7, 2025. Available on ABC iview.
• Brittle, Rob and Parkinson, Mitch (Intensive Care Flight Paramedics, Ambulance Tasmania). "Patient Centred Team Based Critical Care In Austere Environments." Australian College of Paramedicine. https://paramedics.org/news/patient-centred-team-based-critical-care-in-austere-environments
• Paddling Magazine. "Inside The Whitewater Accident That Led To An Underwater Amputation." July 18, 2025. https://paddlingmag.com/stories/news-events/underwater-amputation-rescue/
• Pulse Tasmania. "Tasmanian doctor receives prestigious Lithuanian award for dramatic river leg amputation." July 7, 2025. https://pulsetasmania.com.au/news/tasmanian-doctor-receives-prestigious-lithuanian-award-for-dramatic-river-leg-amputation/
• Water by Nature Tasmania - Franklin River Rafting. https://franklinriver.com/
• Rafting.com. "Franklin River Rafting Trips." https://www.rafting.com/australia/tasmania/franklin-river/

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Welcome back to Disaster Strikes! In this episode of The Crux podcast's biweekly segment, Disaster Strikes, hosts Julie Henningsen and Kaycee McIntosh delve into the heartbreaking tale of 66-year-old Geraldine Largay, a retired Air Force nurse, who tragically lost her life on the Appalachian Trail in 2013. Despite Jerry's extensive hiking experience, her poor sense of direction led to her getting lost just two miles off the trail. The ensuing search operation became one of the largest in Maine's history. Gerry survived alone for 26 days, documenting her struggle in a journal. Her final entries became poignant messages to her family. Gerry's story has since prompted improved safety and navigation education within the hiking community. This episode examines how her ordeal underscores the thin line between adventure and tragedy while highlighting the importance of preparedness and the enduring power of love.

01:02 The Story of Geraldine Largay Begins

02:19 Jerry's Journey on the Appalachian Trail

04:13 The Tragic Turn

11:58 The Search Efforts

14:02 Jerry's Final Days

20:13 Lessons Learned and Legacy

28:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode of the Crux True Survival Stories podcast, host Julie Henningsen interviews Sheryl Ramstad, a burn survivor, former criminal trial attorney, and Minnesota Commissioner of Corrections, who shares her harrowing story of surviving an airplane crash. Sheryl details the events leading up to the crash, the critical decisions she made during the incident, and her miraculous survival despite extensive injuries. She recounts her recovery process, her mother's unwavering support, and the challenges of living with severe burns. Sheryl also talks about her remarkable life post-recovery, including running marathons, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and transitioning to a career in nursing to help other burn survivors. This episode highlights Sheryl's resilience, her focus on service, and her drive to turn adversity into opportunities for growth and inspiration.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

01:19 Introducing Sheryl Ramstad

01:56 Sheryl's Life Before the Crash

02:50 The Plane Crash Incident

05:05 Immediate Aftermath and Rescue

06:23 Survival and Recovery in the Burn Unit

13:09 Rehabilitation and Setting New Goals

18:47 Training for a Marathon

22:22 Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

27:31 A New Career Path: From Judge to Nurse

30:02 Challenges and Triumphs in Nursing

34:11 The Harsh Realities of Burn Treatment

41:13 A Second Chance at Life

47:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

References:

https://www.sherylramstadauthor.com/

Sheryl’s book, Living Life Full Throttle; Surviving, Serving and Summiting, is available on Amazon.com

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In this episode of 'The Crux: True Survival Stories,' hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen delve into the astonishing tale of Vesna Vulović, a Serbian flight attendant who miraculously survived a fall from over 33,000 feet without a parachute. The episode explores Vesna's early life, the fateful flight in 1972, and the extraordinary series of events that led to her survival. It also discusses the psychological and political aftermath of her experience. With detailed storytelling and insightful commentary, this episode celebrates Vesna's incredible resilience and the unyielding human spirit.

00:00 Introduction

01:11 Introducing Vesna's Story

02:09 Vesna's Early Life and Aspirations

06:26 The Fateful Flight

16:10 Miraculous Survival and Rescue

24:27 Life After the Crash

30:36 Legacy and Final Years

36:45 Conclusion

References:

1. "JAT Flight 367" - Wikipedia. Comprehensive details about the flight, crash investigation, and official findings.

2. "Vesna Vulović" - Wikipedia. Biographical information, personal life, and political activism.

3. "How Vesna Vulović survived the highest fall ever with no parachute" - Guinness World Records (April 2022). Official record details and survival analysis.

4. "JAT Flight 367, A Cabin Crew Perspective: The Woman Who Fell To Earth" - Simple Flying (January 2023). Aviation industry perspective on the crash.

5. "The Miraculous Survival Story of Vesna Vulović" - Bygonely (February 2024). Detailed biographical account and historical context.

6. "Life After Death – Vesna Vulovic: Survivor's Guilt" - Europe Between East And West (May 2019). Analysis of psychological impact and later life struggles.

7. "Remembering Vesna Vulović" - CBC Radio (December 2016). Interview excerpts and obituary coverage.

8. "THE SERBIAN WOMAN WHO DEFEATED DEATH" - Serbian Times (February 2025). Cultural perspective and legacy in Serbia.

9. Various aviation safety reports and Czech Civil Aviation Authority findings regarding the bombing investigation and crash analysis.

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Join hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen of the Crux True Survival Story Podcast as they discuss one of the most remarkable survival stories in maritime history. The episode delves into the harrowing tale of 11-year-old Terry Jo Duperrault, whose family vacation in 1961 turned into a nightmare when their chartered boat, the Blue Bell, was sabotaged by the captain, Julian Harvey. After a brutal attack that left her family dead, Terry Jo was left alone at sea for four days before being miraculously rescued. This episode covers the details of the night of the tragedy, Terry Jo's incredible survival, and the subsequent revelations about Harvey's criminal past. The story not only highlights Terry Jo's resilience and courage but also serves as a cautionary tale about trusting strangers. Listener discretion is advised due to the graphic nature of the content.

00:00 Introduction to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast

00:41 The Perfect Family Vacation Turns Tragic

03:45 The Mysterious Captain Julian Harvey

06:40 The Night of Terror on the Blue Bell

14:59 Terry Joe's Miraculous Rescue

21:30 Unraveling Harvey's Web of Lies

35:56 Terry Joe's Life After the Ordeal

40:24 Reflections and Lessons from Terry Joe's Story

46:14 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

1. Duperrault, Tere and Richard D. Logan. Alone: Orphaned on the Ocean. 2010.

1. "The Sea: The Bluebelle's Last Voyage." TIME Magazine, December 1, 1961.
2. LIFE Magazine cover story on Terry Jo Duperrault, December 1961.

1. "Coast Guard Investigates 'Bluebelle' Captain who Killed Himself." November 21, 1961.
2. Various articles from The Miami Herald, November 1961.
3. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports on the Bluebelle case, November 1961.
4. Lawrence Journal-World coverage, November 1961.

1. United States Coast Guard Official Report into the Loss of the Bluebelle. April 25, 1962.
2. Coast Guard Investigation transcripts and hearing records, November 1961.
3. Bahamian authorities investigation records, November 1961.

1. The Oprah Winfrey Show reunion episode featuring Terry Jo Duperrault and Captain Stylianos Coutsodontis, September 1988.
2. 48 Hours interview with Tere Duperrault Fassbender.

1. "Bluebelle (ship)." Wikipedia. Accessed 2024.
2. CBS News interview with Tere Duperrault Fassbender. "Book 'Em: Alone, Orphaned on the Ocean." June 17, 2010.
3. "Terry Jo Duperrault, The 11-Year-Old Girl Lost At Sea." All That's Interesting, May 1, 2024.
4. "The Sea Waif: A Murder on the Ocean and the Little Girl Who Stayed Alive." Mental Floss, May 15, 2019.
5. "Bluebelle's last voyage: A true crime." Salon.com, August 4, 2012.

1. Press photographs from November 1961 showing Terry Jo with relatives in De Pere, Wisconsin.
2. Original rescue photographs taken by crew of the Captain Theo.
3. Harvey's suicide note and Miami Police Department records, November 1961.

1. Logan, Richard D. Academic work on psychology of solitary survival.
2. Maritime safety records documenting changes to life raft regulations following the Bluebelle incident.

1. Schechter, Harold. Psycho USA: Famous American Killers You Never Heard Of. Ballantine Books, 2012.
2. Gardner, Erle Stanley. "The Case of the Bluebelle's Last Voyage." Syndicated newspaper article, 1962.

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