In 1917/1918, Collins had an ambition to find another cave closer to the public and made an agreement with a neighbor to open a small cave called "Kentucky Sand Cave". On January 30, 1925, while working to enlarge the small passage in Sand Cave, Collins became trapped in a narrow passage 55 feet (17 m) underground. Ultimately, Collins died of hypothermia, aggravated by thirst and starvation, after being isolated for fourteen days and three days before a rescue shaft team reached his position...