Johnny Cade dies in The Outsiders from severe injuries sustained while heroically rescuing children from a burning church. During the fire, a piece of falling timber crushes Johnny’s back, causing a broken spine and severe burns. Despite medical efforts, he succumbs to these injuries in the hospital shortly after a final rumble between the Greasers and the Socs. Before dying, Johnny imparts the important message to Ponyboy to "stay gold," urging him to preserve his innocence and goodness despite their harsh reality

. Johnny’s death deeply affects his close friend Dallas "Dally" Winston, who cared for Johnny like a surrogate father. Unable to cope with Johnny’s passing, Dally commits a desperate act that leads to his own death shortly afterward