Body recovered from Big Four Ice Caves after deadly collapse
Jul 6, 2015, 9:38 PM | Updated: Jul 7, 2015, 4:37 pm
Rescue workers treat a victim before she is airlifted, Monday, July 6, 2015 at the Big Four trail head in Verlot, Wash. One person has been killed and at least four others injured by the partial collapse of ice caves northeast of Seattle that authorities had previously warned were dangerous, especially because of the unseasonable heat the region has experienced. (Genna Martin/The Herald via AP
WARNING: Above video is unedited and contains language some readers may find offensive
The body of a 34-year-old woman was recovered from the Big Four Ice Caves Tuesday afternoon.
The woman died after a collapse in the caves. Three other people were injured and airlifted to Harborview Medical Center after the incident was reported just before 5 p.m. Monday.
Rescuers reached the woman’s body using small explosives to dislodge possible debris and check for stability of the ice. The woman’s cause of death will be determined by a medical examiner.
Harborview Medical Center spokesperson Susan Gregg said a 35-year-old woman who was injured in the collapse was treated and released late Monday. A 25-year-old man in intensive care has been upgraded from critical to serious condition. A 35-year-old man is no longer in intensive care, and his condition is satisfactory.
Two people, including a juvenile female with minor injuries, were taken to Providence Hospital in Everett.
“All we know is that [all the people] were all at the cave at the same time. Whether they were all together as one party or several parties – that is unknown,” Ireton said at a Tuesday press conference.
Hall noted that the ice cave attraction has been advertised since the 1920s, and that there are a variety of safety messages around the cave. There are also two rangers who are posted at the ice caves, but they were not likely at the site when the cave collapsed. The nearest phone line is 14.5 miles away from the caves, Hall said.
Despite safety warnings and the hot temperatures, people still ventured into the cave, as shown on a video captured one day prior to the Monday incident. The video shows a portion of the cave’s mouth falling. Hikers can then be seen fleeing the cave. No injuries were reported from the incident.
“Areas of the cave are still collapsing and will continue to do so until the cave no longer exists. No one should go in or near the cave,” said Search and Rescue Deputy Peter Teske. “The area is not safe.”
The U.S. Forest Service warned hikers in May that the ice caves were in their “most dangerous state” due to unseasonably warm weather. The caves about 70 miles northeast of Seattle are a popular hiking destination in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
In 2010, 11-year-old Grace Tam was killed at the caves by falling ice. Tam was standing on an ice field with her family when the accident happened.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
