1 dead, at least 5 hurt in collapse at Big Four Ice Caves

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Video appears to be from the day before

VERLOT — One person was killed and at least five others were injured Monday evening after a collapse at the mouth of the Big Four Ice Caves, about 12 miles east of here.

Authorities believed all of the survivors had been rescued. A recovery effort was expected to resume at daybreak Tuesday for the body of the victim still inside the cave.

Survivors flown by helicopter to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle were a 25-year-old man in critical condition, a 35-year-old man in serious condition and a 35-year-old woman in satisfactory condition.

Their injuries included leg lacerations, pelvis fractures and shoulder pain, the hospital reported. Tuesday morning, the condition of the 25-year-old man was upgraded to serious. He was in intensive care. The 35-year-old man was upgraded to satisfactory condition and was no longer in intensive care. The hospital said the woman was treated and released Monday night.

Two minors were taken by ambulance to Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. The hospital on Tuesday said they were treated and released.

The ice fall, which included rocks, happened just before 5 p.m. It took roughly 45 minutes for it to be reported due to a lack of cellphone service in the area.

Aerial video showed what appeared to be a great portion of a cave roof collapsed, with rescuers being lowered from helicopters to tend to victims. A multi-agency rescue training session was held at the ice caves in April.

The caves are closed to the public indefinitely. The Mountain Loop Highway also was closed at Deer Creek.

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http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150706/NEWS01/150709457